Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

From chatbots to virtual partners, AI companions are becoming increasingly popular among users seeking connection in an increasingly digital world. And yet, the rise in AI companionship also poses ethical questions and concerns about the impact these apps have on human interaction. Max Giammario, CEO & Co-Founder of MetaPalsshares more industry insights on AI companions as a means to enhance mental well-being.

With the Premier League title race on a knife edge heading into the final stretch, what will set the contenders apart from the pretenders? Well we're in conversation with ex-Gunner Ray Parlour, who is in Singapore for the SCC Soccer 7s, to find out what it takes to cross the finish line and emerge champions! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares fell at the opening bell this morning despite broader regional gains, tracking overnight losses in the US market. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) shed 0.8 per cent to 3,209.11 points after 62.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have GuocoLand. Its joint venture with Hong Leong Holdings is the sole bidder for an Upper Thomson Road plot in the latest state tender that closed yesterday.  Elsewhere, from Samsung Electronics expecting a 10-fold rise in Q1 profit to Elon Musk now giving out the coveted blue checkmarks to users on social media X for free, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Sunny Soh, Lead Technical Analyst (Capital Markets & Investor Education), SIAS.

What you eat defines who you are; it creates your identity. Our guest, at the age of six, arrived in Australia and grew up immersed in the multicultural energy of Sydney. His interest in cooking was inspired by the great international chefs he had studiously read about. And now he has opened Quenino by Victor Liong (QVL) located at Artyzen Singapore hotel. Victor Liong, Chef & Creative, Quenino by Victor Liong tells us more about Quenino and the term 'third culture cuisine' 

Celebrating a milestone 30th edition, the SCC Soccer 7s organized by the Singapore Cricket Club is happening from 5 to 7 March at the Padang. Featuring Premier League legend Ray Parlour & Patrik Berger, the 7-a-side football tournament will see a host of SPL Teams and regional teams in action! So why should you make time to go check it out? We speak to Guo Guang Chang, 2024 SCC Soccer 7s Chairman to find out! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore stocks inched up at the opening bell today, following mixed overnight results in US and European markets.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.5 per cent to 3,238.13 points after 35.6 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have  Cromwell European REIT, after the Reit divested a non-core office property in Poland for 15.9 million euros (S$23.1 million).  Elsewhere, from Google considering charging for new “premium” features run by artificial intelligence to Tokopedia and TikTok Shop completing backend integrations as per merger requirements to operate in Indonesia, more corporate and international headlines are in focus today. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director Azure Capital.

Are you a frequent traveller? Or maybe you are one of those who fancies a last minute trip as and when you feel like it. If you fall under that category, vacation ownership might just be for you!  Vacation ownership is a great way to travel how you want. It is the concept of owning a portion of a resort with the right to use the unit or points you own.  Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director, International Operations, Travel + Leisure Co. tell us more.

We’re going to talk Mexican today as we speak to the master franchisee of one of the world’s fastest growing fast food chains, Guzman Y Gomez, here in Singapore.  While the brand sells Mexican food, it was actually founded by two New Yorkers who were in Australia back in 2006!  The duo were missing Mexican cuisine they grew up with in the US, and hence decided to build a restaurant business by marrying fast food and Mexican food.  Fast forward to today, Guzman Y Gomez now has a presence across four markets, Singapore, Japan, Australia and the US, wrapping 450 to 500 burritos every hour and using 1.9 million kilograms of avocados a year in Australia alone.  In particular, Singapore was the first international market that Guzman Y Gomez expanded into. It was done through a master franchisee. The country now boasts 15 Guzman outlets and one Guzman Grab kitchen.  But what are the opportunities here in Singapore? And how will Guzman Y Gomez’s master franchisee here support the firm’s wider ambitions to open over 40 restaurants globally each year?  Meanwhile, Guzman Y Gomez has recently taken its plans to go public on the Australian Stock Exchange off the shelves amid the current economic environment.  But what will such major moves at a corporate level influence its franchisees like the master franchisee here in Singapore? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Josh Bell, Master Franchisee and General Manager, Guzman Y Gomez Singapore.

Singapore has recently been abuzz with a certain pop star (Taylor Swift). With more and more international performers flying into our city, how is the island living up to its full entertainment potential? What draws these performers to specific venues and what does a “dream concert venue” look like for both entertainment artists and attendees, now and in the future? Ng Sim Lim, Vice President, Sales (Venues), Constellar tells us more.

From an alleged ‘spy’ in Malaysia to Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara to Thailand moving closer to legalising same-sex marriage.  Adib Zalkapli, Independent Political Analyst gives us an analysis of those headlines and more.