Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

He wants Greenland, and he’s not holding back. President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on Europe, floating tariffs, questioning NATO’s resolve, and claiming the EU won’t push back. Denmark says no. Europe is pushing back, at least rhetorically. And inside the US, even Trump’s own team isn’t fully aligned. And in a twist that has shocked many, Trump has linked this aggressive push to last year’s Nobel Peace Prize snub, telling Norway’s prime minister he no longer feels “an obligation to think purely of peace.” So is this power politics, personal grievance, or a negotiating tactic in the Arctic? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law at the Australian National University, for more details. 

Is 2026 the year fixed income finally gets boring again, or is that exactly the risk? Emerging markets look ‘just right’, AI money is flooding the system, and central banks are quietly stepping back. So where does that leave investors who just want reliable income? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Leonard Kwan, Portfolio Manager for the T. Rowe Price Dynamic Emerging Markets Bond Strategy to find out more.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada discuss a ski resort in China that is turning heads with a “princess carry” service: male instructors literally carrying female guests down the slopes, complete with birthday cakes and photo ops, sparking debates about safety, romance, and the meaning of winter sports. Meanwhile, online, 2016 is making a major comeback, with TikTok users and celebrities alike reminiscing about simpler, carefree times: Snapchat filters, iconic music, and the joy of posting without overthinking likes or algorithms.

Singapore shares were little moved today as Asian markets traded mostly lower. The Straits Times Index was up 0.05% at 4,837.15 points at 2.12pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$927.87M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have the Singapore Exchange, after the local bourse announced yesterday that it will expand its current suite of offerings to introduce futures on longer-dated Japanese government bonds (JGB).    Elsewhere, from how US Treasury yields climbed to their highest level in more than four months, as a resurgence of trade-war concerns hit risk sentiment, to how Korea Exchange’s CEO sees the Kospi hitting 6,000 points, more international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck, how China left benchmark loan prime rates unchanged for the eighth consecutive month in January today, matching market expectations. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Singapore announced that the AI-driven Intelligent Driving Circuit will be rolled out at SSDC in 2028, allowing learners to take the wheel on a controlled circuit without a human instructor in the car. The system uses image-recognition AI to analyse driver behaviour and vehicle status, offering objective feedback and potentially reducing dependence on human trainers. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to William Lee, Robotics & Embodied AI Scientist-Engineer, Stealth AI, to discuss whether this marks a new era for driver training and if AI can match the judgement and nuance of a human instructor.

APAC’s wealth market is expanding faster than anywhere else, yet growth is outpacing the ability to manage it. Investors are becoming more sophisticated, portfolios are increasingly complex, and expectations are shaped by everyday consumer technology. Despite this momentum, large segments remain underserved, with 40-45% of assets still held in cash. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to James Verner, Head of Aladdin Wealth Tech APAC at BlackRock, about what is holding wealth management back across the region and what needs to change to move investors from cash into meaningful portfolio conversations.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh take you from out-of-this-world luxury to high-stakes online chaos. First, we explore the mind-boggling concept of a Moon hotel, where a five-night stay will set you back over S$10 million. Then we pivot back to Earth with a look at the new Chinese video game “Blood Money: Lethal Eden”, where players are forced into the shoes of a scammer trapped in a compound. It’s a game about moral choices, survival, and confronting ethical dilemmas, inspired by real-life scam operations in Southeast Asia. From lunar luxury to online moral chaos, we ask the big questions: Would you pay millions for a Moon getaway? Would you betray a stranger to survive?

Singapore shares moved lower today as investors continued to monitor the global trade situation. The Straits Times Index was down 0.53% at 4,823.26 points at 2.07pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$744.02M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Yangzijiang Maritime, after the maritime financial solution provider today announced its proposed share buyback, as part of its broader capital management plans.  Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump threatened to slap extra tariffs on eight European nations until the U.S. was allowed to buy Greenland, to how China’s economic growth slowed to a three-year low in the fourth quarter, more international headlines remained in focus.  Also on deck – what to watch out of the World Economic Forum held in Davos this week. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

4 matches, 21 goals, 2 Red Cards, a host of debuts and a ton of talking points! The Singapore Premier League is well and truly back, and it takes centre stage on Sports Minutes! Zia-ul Raushan and Deepanraj Ganesan unpack all that went down across the weekend - including contentious decisions and cracking goals. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

According to the 2025 Graduate Employment Survey, most Singapore polytechnic graduates secure employment within six months of graduation, with starting salaries showing modest growth. Beyond these statistics, emerging trends indicate that more graduates are pursuing freelance work, entrepreneurial ventures, and contract roles, reflecting a shift in early-career priorities. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sriram Iyer, Managing Director and Business Head of TeamLease Digital Global, to explore what these trends mean for the future of graduate employment.