Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

After years of negotiations, the European Parliament has approved a major reform tightening the EU's migration and asylum rules. This "migration pact" provides for tighter control of migrant arrivals into the EU, and the introduction of a solidarity mechanism between EU member states concerning the distribution of refugees. What exactly is in the text? What changes would it bring to European migration policy? Dr Samir Puri, Associate Fellow, UK in the World Programme, Chatham House weighs in.

We’re going to bring you an inside look into a local apparel maker turned investment holding firm. Founded in 1951, Sing Lun started as a textile trading firm along Circular Road and has seen its business transform over the decades.  For one thing, the firm expanded into apparel manufacturing in 1968 when the second generation owners took over. Over the years, Sing Lun evolved to become the manufacturer for top outdoor and sportswear brands such as The North Face, Puma and Under Armour. And its annual revenue – a whopping US$185 million as at 2016.  But as people say, change is the only constant, and Sing Lun has yet changed once again.  It merged its textile manufacturing business SL Global with Crystal International Group in Hong Kong in 2016 to become the second largest apparel manufacturer in the world.  Today, Sing Lun Holdings is known as a privately-owned investment holding company with business interests worldwide. Its portfolio includes three main verticals: real estate holdings, industrial and business services and investments and private equity. But what were the reasons behind the move to divest SL Global and what does the divestment of its apparel manufacturing mean for the firm? What is the firm focusing on next? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Mark Lee, CEO, Sing Lun Holdings.

Our guest had a childhood love for sports, which drove him to pursue a degree in physical education and to pick up Jiu Jitsu. However, with family expectations weighing heavy on him, he found himself in law school just two years later.  However his heart remained loyal to Jiu Jitsu through it all, despite pursuing a career path that was certainly “more stable”, but never “felt natural”. Professor Gamal Hassan, Ex-Lawyer, BJJ Champion & Trainer, Evolve shares more about his journey from a lawyer to getting his black belt. 

Singapore equities started trading in positive territory today after global markets ended mixed overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.3 per cent to 3,224.06 points after 34.7 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Seatrium and Global Invacom. Both companies today filed notices that they each registered three consecutive years of losses based on audited full-year consolidated accounts.  Elsewhere, from competition for IPOs within major stock exchanges around the world to a lookahead to US inflation numbers – more international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – how Donald’s Trump’s media and technology firm the Trump Media & Technology Group fell as much as 12 percent yesterday. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chong Ser Jing, Co-founder and Portfolio Manager, Compounder Fund.

All of us know that getting a good night’s rest is essential for physical and mental health, well-being, productivity and overall quality of life. Yet, it remains a dream more than a reality for many in Singapore.  According to the 2023 Wellness Survey by OSIM, a staggering 95 percent of respondents suffered from poor sleep quality regardless of how long they slept each night. So why are Singaporeans not getting a good night's sleep? Liza Yao, Head of Branding & Strategic Marketing, OSIM International tells us more.

From highlights from US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen six day visit to China to Russia showing interest in being part of China’s Belt and Road plans in Central Asia. Chong Ja Ian, Associate Professor of Political Science, NUS & Non-Resident Scholar, Carnegie China gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

Manchester United maybe having a season to forget, but maintained their unbeaten run against Liverpool this season. In 3 matches, 2 in the league and 1 in the FA Cup - the Red Devils have denied their arch rivals on all three occasions with Klopp's team only having a solitary point to show for their efforts. Could the latest drop points be the most pivotal, with Liverpool losing ground in the hunt for the crown? Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

A decade ago, the influencer marketing arena was limited only to celebrities and a few dedicated bloggers. Now, social media influencers have risen and saturated the market. And while their followings may vary in size, these influencers pack a punch. Sky Lim, Regional Business Director, X10 Media shares more about how the influence marketing scene has changed up over the years and his personal story of building the company. 

Singapore stocks were little changed at the opening bell this morning, following mixed results in US and European markets.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.03 per cent to 3,219.18 points after 61.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have Keppel, after the global asset manager and operator achieved its first close for the Keppel Sustainable Urban Renewal Fund.  Elsewhere,  from more on the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office’s forecast of growth in China and across Asia, to a lookahead of the new US corporate earnings season, more international headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Singapore is leaving other countries in the dust when it comes to cybersecurity preparedness, according to a new government survey. However, according to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, companies across 23 industries still had gaps and security breaches despite robust adoption of key cybersecurity measures.  So what are the most critical issues faced in Singapore today? And how is Tanium helping companies combat cybersecurity issues 'differently’?   Jeremy Hatfield, Global SVP of Technical Account Management and Enterprise Services, Tanium tells us more.