Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Airfares are rising across Asia as jet fuel prices surge amid the Middle East conflict, putting pressure on airlines already operating on thin margins. And with costs climbing and supply disruptions hitting the region harder, carriers are being forced to balance fare hikes, cost absorption, and potential flight cuts. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Brendan Sobie, an independent aviation analyst at Sobie Aviation, to unpack how severe the impact could be and what it means for airlines and travellers if the crisis drags on.  

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada first dive into the surprising sale of Abiqua Falls, a 92-foot waterfall in Oregon that was listed online with no fixed price, sparking concern that the beloved natural site could be closed off. Then, they unpack actress Brenda Song’s viral airline experience, after she claimed her family’s pre-booked first-class seats were reassigned, leaving her separated from her young children.

As the Singapore dollar strengthens, its impact is beginning to extend beyond traditional markets and into the fast-evolving world of digital finance. How will a stronger SGD influence the rise of regulated stablecoins and what does that mean for investors, institutions and cross-border payments? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Anthony Koo, Head of Payments at StraitsX, to break down how digital Singapore dollars like XSGD are being used today, and how Singapore’s approach could shape stablecoin adoption across the region.

Singapore shares inched higher today despite early losses seen in the region. The Straits Times Index was up 0.3% at 4,902.27 points at 10.36am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$569.09M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel, after the group and Simba Telecom have mutually agreed to extend the long-stop date for the proposed M1 deal to May 21.  Elsewhere, from how Asian stock markets were swept up in a global rout today, to how OpenAI's ChatGPT ads pilot in the US crossed the US$100 million annualised revenue mark within six weeks of launch, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Back scoring, back smiling and back on Sports Minutes. Ikhsan Fandi sits down to talk form, confidence, and hitting 50 goals for BG Pathum. With the Lions building momentum and a clash against Bangladesh looming, Ikhsan opens up on competition for the No.9 role, staying grounded through faith, and why this might just be his prime. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares inched higher today even as Asian markets traded mostly lower. The Straits Times Index rose 0.35% at 4,921.88 points at 12.01pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$737.19M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust. That’s as the trust invested 50 million euros (S$74.1 million) in AiOnX, its sponsor SWI Group’s data centre development fund, via a mandatory convertible loan. Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s factory output unexpectedly dipped 0.1 per cent year on year in February, a sharp reversal from January’s downwardly revised 12.9 per cent growth, to how Gap plans to open 50 new stores in mainland China in 2026 after breaking even for the first time last quarter, more economic and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

Singapore shares inched higher today to track regional movements The Straits Times Index was up 0.57% at 4,890.15 points at 2.29pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.15B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines. SIA said yesterday that the flag carrier will fly to Sydney’s new 24-hour airport. The new airport allows SIA to offer red-eye flights from Sydney, enabling it to bypass the 11 pm to 6 am curfew at the existing Sydney airport, with such flights preferred by corporate travellers.  Elsewhere, from how Pop Mart International reported full-year revenue and net income broadly in line with analyst expectations, to how South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix announced today that it made a confidential filing for a US listing in 2026, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Equity Research, Maybank Securities.

Back from a long injury layoff, Irfan Fandi returns to the Singapore national team with unfinished business. He opens up about the grind of recovery, the heartbreak of missing Lion’s historic night, and the motivation driving his comeback - with a 50-cap milestone now firmly in sight. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore’s public housing has long been the backbone of the country’s dream of homeownership, offering affordable homes to generations of residents. But as land grows increasingly scarce and the appetite for central city living surges, HDB is exploring bold new directions. Enter projects like the proposed Pearl’s Hill development, a vision of supertall, high-density ‘megatowers’ right in the heart of Singapore. Are megatowers the future of public housing in Singapore? Can these megablock developments be the answer to land scarcity in Singapore?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sing Tien Foo, Provost’s Chair Professor in the Department of Real Estate at NUS Business School, to find out more.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada explore where people are finding happiness in today’s fast-paced world from unplugging in nature to global rankings of well-being. They first look at the growing trend of “forest bathing,” where people are turning to nature as a way to escape the stress of constant news cycles. Then, they dive into the 2026 World Happiness Report, breaking down why countries like Finland, Iceland, and Denmark continue to top the list.