Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Balestier keep the good times rolling with a fourth straight win, while BG Tampines put five past the Young Lions to keep pace at the top of the table. But beyond the scorelines, Sports Minutes runs the rule over domestic recruitment - from signings that are flourishing, to those flattering to deceive. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike — a move that could reshape the country’s political future and its relations with Washington. The appointment comes despite strong opposition from Donald Trump, who had previously said the younger Khamenei would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s next leader and suggested the United States should have a say in the succession. So who exactly is Mojtaba Khamenei? And with Washington openly opposed to his leadership, could his appointment push tensions between Iran and the US to an even more dangerous level? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with DrJames M. Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.

Gold and silver are shedding their image as old-school safe havens and emerging as the new entry point for a younger generation of investors. According to a report by OCBC Bank, two in three first-time retail investors in 2025 chose precious metals over traditional options like equities and funds, a sharp shift in how people are starting their investment journeys. With investors under 40 now making up half of all precious metals customers, the fastest growth is coming from those in their 20s, drawn by accessibility, affordability and a sense of stability. But as gold and silver become more mainstream through digital and fractional investing, the bigger question is whether this signals a long-term change in wealth-building behaviour, or a more cautious response to an uncertain global environment. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Germaine Tan, Head of Treasury Products and Equities, OCBC, to find out more.

A TikTok-viral baker says living with his parents lets him save, invest… and splurge on designer bags. But is it savvy financial planning or a little too comfortable? On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into the growing debate around adult children living at home — what they should contribute, and whether independence is being delayed. Then, as global tensions threaten oil supply and petrol prices in Singapore surge past $3 per litre, we look at the everyday energy habits that cause the biggest household fights. From lights left on to air-con overuse, are these small habits costing you more than you think?

Oil is front and centre today, with prices surging past US$100 a barrel. If listeners remember, we began 2026 with oil trading below US$60, marking a rapid jump of roughly 70% in just a few months. The sharp move higher has rattled markets, with equities broadly seeing a sea of red as investors grapple with the implications of higher energy prices. This also raises a key question for markets: are we now moving beyond a typical pullback of 5 to 10%, and entering a full correction territory of more than 10%? On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Nirgunan Tiruchelvam, Head of Consumer and Internet at Alētheia Capital, to break down the biggest market movements today.

The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has entered a volatile new phase, raising fresh geopolitical and legal questions about the future of the region. Following reports of strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, attention has turned to who could succeed him and what that transition might mean for regional stability. US President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to play a role in discussions surrounding Iran’s next leader, a remark that has sparked debate over whether Washington is attempting to influence the country’s political direction. How realistic is it that the US could shape Iran’s leadership succession? And how might Tehran respond as it weighs its options and defends its sovereignty? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Jessica Genauer, Associate Professor in International Relations at Flinders University, to find out more.

Gold prices have surged past $5,100 an ounce, up about 20% this year. However, amid continued tensions in the Middle East, spot gold's price slipped about 1.6% earlier this week to around $5,060 per troy ounce.  What’s driving this plunge and how much of this  is pure geopolitical panic given the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Shaokai Fan, Head of Asia-Pacific (ex-China) and Global Head of Central Banks at the World Gold Council, to find out more. 

A man in Shanghai has gone viral after reportedly earning around 160,000 yuan during the Chinese New Year period just by feeding cats. Instead of travelling for the holidays, he stayed behind and helped care for pets while their owners were away, visiting hundreds of homes to feed cats and check on them. Meanwhile, Spotify has teamed up with beverage brand Liquid Death to create the “Eternal Playlist Urn.” It’s a cremation urn with a Bluetooth speaker in the lid, allowing your favourite songs to keep playing even after you’re gone. Only 150 units were made, and they sold out quickly. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada break down these two unusual stories.

On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education at the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) to wrap up the week with a look at how markets have been navigating a mix of geopolitical tensions, economic signals and rising volatility. The Straits Times Index ended the day flat at 4,848 points, and they assess how Singapore equities performed both today and over the week, including the stocks that are drawing investor interest on the Singapore Exchange. They also examine the sharp moves in the oil market, after West Texas Intermediate crude briefly climbed above US$80 a barrel following reports that Iran struck an oil tanker with a missile. Finally, with the CBOE Volatility Index climbing into the mid-20s and the S&P 500 swinging between gains and losses, they explore how investors can navigate the current market dilemma and what to watch in the week ahead.

From head video analyst to interim head coach - Varo Moreno’s voyage has been anything but ordinary. Speaking to Sports Minutes,, he shares what it was like taking charge of the Sailors, how he handled the pressure, and his thoughts on Jesus Casas’ arrival. Plus, insight into the post-Lestienne era and how modern analytics is shaping football in Singapore. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg