Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Coffee is back in the spotlight and not for the reasons caffeine lovers might hope. Prices have spiked to their highest levels in over a decade, driven by US tariffs on Brazilian beans and weather shocks hitting supply. With China emerging as a possible new heavyweight buyer and Africa stepping up exports, the global coffee trade is being reshuffled in real time. So, are we looking at a new normal for coffee prices or just another jolt in a market that never sits still? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lucrezia Cogliati, Commodities Analyst, BMI,to find out more.

Ever wondered how your bank or insurance app seems to know what you need—sometimes before you even do? It’s not magic. It’s AI, working quietly behind the scenes to power faster service, smarter recommendations, and seamless digital experiences. But making AI truly work for people—and feel relevant to local markets—is no easy feat. How are financial institutions in Southeast Asia and the Gulf pulling it off? And what role do smart regulations play in helping them innovate safely and fast? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Tomas Skuomal, Chairman & Co-Founder of Dyna.ai, to find out more. 

Vying for a Singapore National Team breakthrough, Jared Gallagher steps into the new season with fresh motivation. Called up to Gavin Lee’s local centralised training squad soon after being appointed co-captain at Albirex Niigata for the season ahead -  the 23-year-old opens up on leadership, pressure, and the dream of representing Singapore while cementing his place in domestic football and beyond.

The United Nation has established its independent international scientific panel on artificial intelligence, aimed at advising governments on both the opportunities and risks of this rapidly evolving technology. The panel will produce evidence-based assessments, facilitate dialogue among countries with differing regulatory approaches, and guide the responsible use of AI to support global development goals. What outcomes can we anticipate from the panel? And how will it influence global AI governance? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Paul Henman, Professor of Digital Sociology and Social Policy, The University of Queensland, to learn more about the UN’s new AI advisory panel and what it means for governments and societies worldwide.

US earnings are holding up, AI is driving gains, and markets are hitting new highs, but not all sectors are sharing in the upside. Europe lags, emerging markets face short-term headwinds, and risks from tariffs and slowing growth are rising. The big question for investors: how do you ride the tailwinds of AI and rate cuts without getting caught off guard if the tide turns? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jack Siu, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, Asia at Lombard Odier,to find out more.

The gaming world is on the verge of a seismic shift. With over 3 billion players and millions of streamers powering a market projected to reach US$625 billion by 2030, the demand for faster, easier ways to build games has never been higher. But what if creating a game didn’t require coding skills, a massive studio, or years of development? That’s the vision of Ambitionz. The company is breaking down barriers with an AI-driven platform that lets streamers and aspiring developers generate game-ready assets on the fly and even co-create live with their fans. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeeong speaks with Pavel Bains, CEO, Ambitionz, to find out more. 

Singapore shares dipped today as investors mull a mixed day in Asia. The Straits Times Index was down 0.04% at 2.17pm Singapore time, at 4,244.06 points, with a value turnover of S$584.32M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment, after its subsidiary CapitaLand Commercial C-Reit (CLCR) received approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission yesterday to register for its listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.  Elsewhere, from investors’ reactions to a better-than-expected set of earnings out of AI chip titan Nvidia, to South Korea’s central bank holding policy interest rates steady for a second straight review – more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

The FAS says commitment comes first. Parents argue education can’t take a back seat. At the centre of this debate is 16-year-old Mika Baihakki, omitted from the U-17 squad after skipping a training camp trip for exams. His mother’s viral post has thrown the spotlight on FAS’ handling of youth development and communication. PR veteran and TMSG founder Jose Raymond joins Sports Minutes to analyse the messaging, the fallout, and what this saga means for Singapore’s student-athletes. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/local-celeb-norfasaries-post-on-sons-omission-from-national-u-16-football-team-goes-viral-fas Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Cross-border ride-hailing between Singapore and Malaysia has always been lucrative, but also controversial. A recent government crackdown on illegal operators is already changing the landscape, boosting earnings for both private-hire and taxi drivers. So are platform workers finally getting a fair deal, and what more needs to be done to protect them? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics at Singapore University of Social Sciences, to find out more. 

Singapore Airlines will be increasing the KrisFlyer miles needed for award flights from Nov 1, with some routes rising by 20% Now while the changes mean higher costs for members on several popular routes, travel experts say there are still redemption opportunities that make sense. But what do these changes really mean for frequent travellers? How can you make the most of your SIA KrisFlyer miles after the devaluation in redemption rates?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Aaron Wong, Founder of The Milelion, to find out more.