MONEY FM 89.3 - Prime Time with Howie Lim, Bernard Lim & Finance Presenter JP Ong

A brand new year offers brand new possibilities - especially when it comes to sport, and particularly Singapore football. So what did the rollercoaster that was 2025 teach us? And what is on the wish list for 2026? Deepanraj Ganesan is back in the Sports Minutes hotseat alongside Zia-ul Raushan to tell us. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 was a defining year for the silver market, marked by record prices and heightened investor interest. As the market enters 2026, attention is now turning to whether those gains can be sustained. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gregor Gregersen, Founder, Silver Bullion Group, to take a step back to look at how silver performed in 2025, what drove the big moves, and what investors were watching through the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares dipped today in the last trading day of 2025. The Straits Times Index was down 0.2% at 4,646.27 points at 10.29am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$199.83M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have SUTL Enterprise, after the marina developer and operator said yesterday that it will acquire Marina at Keppel Bay from Keppel Bay for S$40 million, with the acquisition to be completed in the second half of 2026. Elsewhere, from how China's manufacturing activity unexpectedly grew in December, to how Taiwanese tech titan TSMC has started mass producing its cutting-edge 2-nanometre semiconductor chips, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Audrey Ho, Investment Counselor, Citigold Private Client, Citibank Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To wrap up 2025, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada revisit the viral moments that truly defined the year online on What’s Trending. Pop culture went into overdrive when Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce got engaged, a crossover romance so big it united Swifties, sports fans and the internet at large; a seemingly harmless Coldplay kiss-cam moment spiralled into a global scandal when two uncomfortable concertgoers were identified as a married tech CEO and his company’s HR head, sparking resignations and debates over privacy, power and public shaming; the world’s most famous museum was rocked by a bold daylight heist at the Louvre, with crown jewels worth over US$100 million still missing even as new security measures were rushed in; and back home, Singapore’s GE2025 proved that politics and memes now go hand in hand, as campaign moments were remixed into viral songs, TikToks and WhatsApp forwards that sometimes travelled faster than the actual policy debates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With just two days left of 2025, attention now turns to how we’re getting ready to ring in the New Year, and what you need to know before heading out. From countdown celebrations and fireworks to road closures and enhanced security measures, we’ll walk you through what to expect as Singapore gears up for New Year’s festivities, so you can plan ahead and celebrate safely. Whether you’re heading out, staying in, or still deciding, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada discuss the details on The Big Story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re taking a step back to look at the property market as 2025 draws to a close. How did the market perform this year? What surprised buyers and investors, and what trends are likely to carry into 2026? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Nicholas Mak, Chief Research Officer at MOGUL SG, as we take stock of where the property market stands heading into the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares inched higher today in the last full trading day of 2025. The Straits Times Index was up 0.51% at 4,657.14 points at 2.39pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$499.98M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have ST Engineering, after the group today said that it expects to report a positive net profit for the second half of 2025, after taking into account all the one-off effects for the period. Meanwhile, from how Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Singapore-based startup Manus, to how the US government has reportedly granted an annual licence to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to bring in chip manufacturing equipment to their facilities in China for 2026, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into the new year, on What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada talk about stories that got us thinking about both everyday habits and the future ahead. With shoppers still buying millions of plastic bags despite a five-cent charge, an NUS professor has suggested raising the fee to 10 cents, reigniting the debate over convenience versus sustainability. And zooming out even further, as listeners shared their predictions of life 27 years from now, we looked back at how people in 1998 imagined 2025, getting some things right like online shopping, remote work and even a deadly new disease, but missing others, reminding us that when we predict the future, we may be revealing more about our hopes and anxieties today than what tomorrow will actually bring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With schools set to reopen in the new year, so are the sniffles, coughs, and fevers. But are you really protecting your kids, or just going through the motions? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong busts common myths about infections, from hand sanitisers to vitamins, and showing what actually works to keep your family safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares were little moved today as investors kicked off the last trading week of 2025. The Straits Times Index was up 0.04% at 4,638.14 points at 2.47pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$423.31M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel and Keppel DC Reit. That's after the two entities said on Dec 26 that the authorities have conditionally green-lit a 10-year lease extension for Keppel Data Centre Campus, which is owned by a Keppel-led joint venture (JV). Elsewhere, from how China is about to start paying interest on its official digital currency, to how Bitcoin rose in Asia trading to top US$90,000, more international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the key developments to watch for the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re looking back at a big one for Singapore - the Singapore dollar. How did it really perform in 2025, what shaped its moves, and what should we be watching as we head into a brand-new year? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sim Moh Siong, Currency Strategist at Bank of Singapore, to break it all down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From K-pop drama to everyday struggles and holiday surprises, today’s stories have us talking. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into how NewJeans member Danielle Marsh was dropped by her agency ADOR after a year of legal battles, injunctions, and public disputes.. Next, in Singapore, a viral TikTok sparked debate over whether the monthly $750 allowance for full-time national servicemen is enough in today’s economy. And finally, wedding season brings its own eyebrow-raising moments: a Hong Kong netizen was invited to a classmate’s wedding after 10 years, only to receive a pricey wish list of appliances and electronics, and discover they were invited just for the ceremony, with no banquet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been found guilty of abuse of power in the biggest trial yet to emerge from the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal. He was charged with four counts of corruption and 21 counts of money laundering over the alleged illegal transfer of about RM2.2 billion from the state fund. What does this verdict now mean for Najib’s remaining political influence? And how could it shape Malaysia’s political landscape under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Chong Ja Ian from the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, to analyse the ruling and what it means for Malaysia’s political future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares dipped today with investors now back from the Christmas Day holiday. The Straits Times Index was down 0.06% at 4,633.73 points at 2.42pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$426.90M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Sembcorp Industries, after Sembcorp Green Infra, an Indian unit of Sembcorp Industries, today completed the acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in solar power company ReNew Sun Bright for about S$246 million. Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s factory output jumped 14.3 per cent year on year in November, to how Japan’s industry ministry is set to nearly quadruple its budgeted support for cutting-edge semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) development to about 1.2 trillion yen (S$9.9 billion) for the fiscal year starting in April, more economic and international 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tokenised funds are emerging as one of the most exciting developments in asset management, promising new ways to structure, access, and scale investments.Yet adoption has been cautious, with regulatory frameworks still evolving. Singapore’s Project Guardian has just released a playbook for operationalising tokenised funds, covering everything from digital-native fund structures to the use of stablecoins and wholesale CBDCs for settlements. Could tokenised funds be the next major shift in investing? And as blockchain and digital assets increasingly intersect with traditional finance, how can investors distinguish real opportunities from hype? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Danny Chong, Co-Chairman of the Digital Assets Association Singapore, to break down what this means for the future of investment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada started with a viral grandmother who refused to buy Christmas presents for her grandchildren, choosing instead to invest money for their future. That theme carried into the workplace, where YouTuber Cleetus McFarland surprised his 20 employees with quirky Christmas bonuses, $3,000 mini Jeep-style go-karts, earning praise for creativity and raising the question of whether a memorable gift beats cash. We ended on a more serious note in South Korea, where professors were fined for taking exams on behalf of students to keep a struggling department alive, highlighting how pressure, desperation and good intentionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 has been anything but a straight line for Asian currencies. Some have surprised with resilience, others have slid to record lows, all shaped by global volatility, domestic pressures, and a shifting US dollar. From the Indian rupee’s struggles to the Malaysian ringgit’s standout run, it’s been a year of clear winners and losers. So who came out on top, who fell behind, and what does it mean for FX risks and opportunities in the year ahead? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Wee Khoon Chong, APAC Macro Strategist, BNY, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares dipped in a shortened trading session today as investors looked ahead to the Christmas Day holiday. The Straits Times Index was down 0.16% at 4,631.39 points at 10.59am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$279.02M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust. That’s after the Reit’s manager posted an update today that the master restructuring agreement concessions, which include an extension of its asset disposal deadline and temporary relaxation of its financial covenants from Dec 31, 2025, to Jun 30 next year, have been granted. Elsewhere, from how the US economy expanded at a much faster-than-expected clip in the third quarter, to the elusive Santa Claus rally setting in, more economic and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeffrey Yap, Regional Head of Wealth Management, Hong Leong Bank.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Secret Santa shockers to Robin Hood Santas and a nativity that’s gone to the dogs, today’s What's Trending stories cover the full naughty-to-nice spectrum. Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada discuss a student in the Philippines that was left distressed after receiving a wrapped hollow concrete block as a Secret Santa gift, sparking outrage online over cruelty disguised as a prank. In Canada, a group dressed as Santas and elves stole thousands of dollars’ worth of groceries from a Montreal supermarket, later redistributing them to those in need to protest the rising cost of living, raising the question of whether that lands them on Santa’s naughty or nice list. And finally, a wholesome note from the UK, where a dog day care centre has gone viral for recreating the Christmas nativity scene with 12 dogs and even a pony, proving that sometimes the best holiday cheer comes with fur and four legs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cambodia and Thailand are on the brink of returning to a ceasefire, but only after weeks of intense fighting that has left dozens dead and nearly a million displaced. The renewed hostilities, sparked by accusations over landmines and long-standing border disputes, have escalated into airstrikes and heavy shelling along critical border towns. Now, all eyes are on the Christmas Eve meeting of the General Border Committee, a high-stakes negotiation co-chaired by the two countries’ defense ministers, backed by ASEAN, China, and the US. Can this latest round of talks finally stop the bloodshed? Or is mistrust and nationalist rhetoric too high to overcome? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to May Wong, Indochina Bureau Chief at The Straits Times, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tequila has been on fire in the global spirits scene, but 2025 tells a more nuanced story. Growth has slowed, inventories are piling up, and investors are getting picky. So, if you’ve ever thought of tequila as more than just a drink, maybe even as an investment, what really worked this year, what stumbled, and what’s next for the market? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jacob Daniels, Sales and Marketing Director, Gordon Premium Spirits, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares rose today to track gains seen in regional markets. The Straits Times Index was up 0.39% at 4,628.44 points at 12.44pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$606.52M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment, after the firm said Bursa-listed CapitaLand Malaysia Trust (CLMT) has agreed to buy five high-specification industrial facilities in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone for RM220.8 million (S$69.2 million). Meanwhile, from how Singapore’s consumer prices held steady in November, to how Indonesia is set to sign a trade tariff agreement with the US in January, with US tariffs on Indonesian goods set at 19 per cent, more economic and international headlines remained in focus. Also on deck – how Nvidia reportedly told Chinese clients it aims to start shipping its second-most powerful AI chips to China before the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada discuss a breakup that ended in court after a man in China sued his ex-fiancée over dating costs, a Canadian student who went viral for falling in love with Singapore’s neighbourhood bakeries, and a US graduation ceremony that ditched tradition for memes as students turned their big walk across the stage into internet gold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been one year since the introduction of HDB’s Prime, Plus and Standard classification framework. But while Prime flats continue to attract strong interest, demand for Plus flats has been more uneven, with some buyers appearing cautious about taking on tighter resale conditions, without a clear location premium. So what does this tell us about buyer behaviour, affordability, and the effectiveness of the new framework so far? And as more flats come on stream, what could this mean for future demand across different locations? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Nizam AR, Associate at ERA Realty Network, for more insights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After two years of declining global art sales, 2025 didn't shape up as a rebound, but a reset. High-end auctions slowed, while more accessible works held their ground, and newer categories like digital art found an audience. So what’s really drove investor behaviour this year? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Grace Lau, Founder & CEO, ArtWise, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares rose today in line with movements seen across regional markets. The Straits Times Index was up 0.65% at 4,599.43 points at 3.14pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$785.39M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have CNMC Goldmine, after a Malaysian unit of CNMC was hit with an additional income tax and penalty by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, amounting to RM29.6 million (S$9.4 million), for the assessment years 2019 to 2024. Elsewhere, from how China’s central bank unveiled a one-off credit repair scheme to allow overdue personal debts of up to 10,000 yuan (S$1,835) incurred since 2020 to be removed from credit records once fully repaid, to how Uber Technologies is teaming up with Baidu to trial driverless taxis in the UK – more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the key developments to watch for the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to another episode of What's Trending! To start the week, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada discuss how much to give in an angbao from market-rate dinners at five-star hotels to keeping it stress-free or not even bothering to show up. Then, we switch gears to something holly-jolly - from tiny snowmen made while traveling abroad to a colossal 19-metre snowman in Harbin, China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s back to the financial services industry as we speak to a financial advisory firm that’s wholly owned by Singlife. Founded in 2016, Singlife Financial Advisers seeks to empower individuals to achieve financial freedom with its team of digitally enabled advisers, through innovative solutions that support its clients at every stage of their life. The firm primarily looks at four areas: (1) Protection through insurance, (2) Savings and retirement, (3) Investment, and finally (4) Legacy planning, and is now seeing increased demand for services across the board in Singapore given a growing number of high-net worth individuals and an ageing population in the country. According to numbers by data analytics provider GlobalData out in early 2025, Singapore’s general insurance industry is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (or CAGR) of 6.2% to hit S$8.1 billion in gross written premiums by 2029. That’s supported by regulatory developments, economic expansion as well as a rise in market demand. So what will the numbers mean for the firm’s growth roadmap in the medium to longer term? And as demand for insurance coverage increases, the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (or Fidrec) in Singapore is also seeing consumer complaints against investment-linked insurance policies or (ILPs) increase. So what does this mean for the firm, and how will the firm ensure transparency in the selling of its products amid consumer concerns across the industry? At the same time, more support is also provided for the industry, with Singlife Financial Adviser’s parent Singlife setting up a shared service hub in Singapore earlier this year to help financial advisory firms with services like electronic financial need analysis, client onboarding and more. So how is Singlife Financial Advisers tapping the shared resource then? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Justin Ho, CEO, Singlife Financial Advisers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crypto is no longer just a niche play. Asia’s high-net-worth individuals are increasingly allocating real portions of their portfolios to digital assets. According to Sygnum’s 2025 APAC HNWI Report, nearly half of HNWIs in the region now dedicate more than 10% of their wealth to crypto, viewing it as a tool for long-term preservation and legacy planning rather than pure speculation. What’s driving this bullish sentiment? And how will crypto shape private wealth strategies in 2026? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Jason French, Executive Director at Sygnum Bank, to break down the trends, the opportunities, and what this shift means for the future of wealth in Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TikTok’s future in the US has been hanging by a thread, caught between national security concerns, political battles, and calls for divestment. Now, ByteDance has unveiled a plan: a US-based joint venture with American and global investors, keeping only a minority stake for itself. Oracle will oversee data security, and TikTok says the new structure will operate independently. But does this deal really address the underlying security and governance concerns? Can TikTok stay under US oversight without compromise and what does it mean for the millions of Americans using the app every day? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Cedomir Nestorovic, Professor of Geopolitics at ESSEC Business School, Asia-Pacific, to find out what this deal could mean for TikTok, its users, and the broader US-China tech landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares inched higher today to track gains seen across Asia. The Straits Times Index was up 0.15% at 4,577.44 points at 3.11pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$749.75M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust. That’s after the managers of Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust said it has entered into an agreement to divest a non-core office property in Italy for a consideration of 34 million euros (S$51.4 million). Elsewhere, from how the Bank of Japan hiked interest rates to a 30-year high of 0.75 per cent, to how US President Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly launched a review that could result in the first shipments to China of Nvidia’s second-most powerful AI chips, more international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kenneth Goh, Director, Private Wealth Management, UOB Kay Hian.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the Friday edition of What's Trending! Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh get festive as they unpack a Christmas chart twist: Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You has been dethroned by Wham!’s Last Christmas. Is the Queen of Christmas losing her crown, or still winning where it counts? They also dive into a viral story from South Korea, where a 20-year-old LG air conditioner turns out to have a logo made of pure gold, sending people scrambling to check their old appliances. And to wrap things up, a TikToker tests which country has the cleanest streets by walking around in white socks, with Singapore, Japan and China all in the running. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travelling to China just got a digital upgrade. Singaporeans can now use China’s e-CNY, the digital renminbi, through a new pilot program that lets travellers top up digital wallets directly from their Singapore bank accounts. But what does this mean beyond convenience? Is it simply another payment option, or part of a larger plan to expand China’s currency influence globally? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Ernie Teo, Senior Lecturer, and Program Director for the Bachelor of Applied Computing in Finance, Nanyang Technological University to unpack the rise of the e-CNY for tourists and explore its broader implications for digital payments and state-backed currencies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time, a tokenized fund will be open to the public, thanks to MAS approval for a collaboration between Franklin Templeton and DBS. Could this be the start of a whole new way to invest, diversify, and engage with the market. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jason Jiang, CBO at CertiK, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s now time for a Special, year-end edition of Market View, where we not only take you though how the Singapore stock market closed for the day, but also step back to examine three key themes that have shaped markets over the year, and will continue to matter as we head into 2026. The three themes are: First, whether the global AI boom can move beyond hype and experimentation into a phase of real productivity gains and earnings delivery. Second, uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate trajectory and whether we’re truly approaching a more balanced phase of growth, inflation and policy. And finally, China’s economic transition and whether domestic consumption can meaningfully offset weaker property investment and export headwinds amid ongoing global trade tensions. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital and Olivia Ding, Investment Analyst, Reed Capital Partners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to another episode of What's Trending! Today’s headlines are pure chaos and Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Nazirul Asrar break it all down. Lawmakers in Mexico’s Congress took their debate way too far, resorting to armpit tickling and grappling on the chamber floor. Meanwhile, a KLM flight to Aruba was canceled thanks to an unexpected stowaway: a rat with apparently bigger travel plans than the passengers. And if that wasn’t wild enough, a Japanese woman held a symbolic wedding… with her very own customized ChatGPT AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s key exports surged 11.6% in November, well above expectations, driven by strong growth in pharmaceuticals and electronics. Over in Japan, exports rose 6.1%, led by robust demand from the US and Europe, even as shipments to China fell. Still in Asia, the Indian rupee hit fresh record lows, highlighting continued currency pressures across emerging markets. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Equity Research at Maybank Securities, to discuss more about the day’s biggest market movements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geopolitics, higher tariffs, and a global supply-chain reset are changing where money flows, and that shift is only picking up pace into 2026. Aberdeen’s latest outlook lays out six big macro forces shaping the year ahead. So what does this mean for emerging markets? Who stands to gain, and who could be left facing fresh headwinds? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Michael Langham, Emerging Markets Economist at Aberdeen, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5G networks are rolling out across the region, promising faster speeds and better connectivity. But concerns have emerged about whether these high-speed signals could interfere with aircraft systems, especially during critical phases like landing. So far in Singapore, authorities say there have been no reported issues, but globally, regulators and airlines are keeping a close eye on the situation. So what does 5G interference really mean, Why does it matter? And what could it mean for travellers flying in and out of the region? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong breaks down all of this with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Senior Consultant & Commercial Aviation Lead at Frost & Sullivan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the another day of What’s Trending! In this episode, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada scratch their heads over Merriam-Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year, “slop" because apparently our feeds are now officially a digital soup of nonsense, and Secret Santa disasters that went way too far, from awkward gifts to painfully timed “jokes” in the office. And finally, a feel-good twist: a delivery rider in Malaysia receives a jaw-dropping RM1,000 Grab tip, turning a routine delivery into an unforgettable one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore Airlines reported a 2.6% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in November, reaching 13.3 billion passenger-kilometres, slightly outpacing the 2.2% growth in capacity across its full-service and budget carriers. In Japan, the latest PMI data showed manufacturing activity remained in contraction at 49.7, though improving from 48.7 in November, while services growth eased slightly to 52.5 from 53.2, pointing to a mixed economic outlook as the country heads into 2026. Meanwhile in Australia, consumer sentiment fell 9% to 94.5 in December, slipping back below the 100-mark as households grapple with renewed concerns over inflation and interest rates. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst at OANDA, to discuss more about the day’s biggest market movements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of families receiving ComCare’s Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) fell to a five-year low in 2024, reflecting improvements in the economy, the job market, and other government support programs. And while short-term financial aid helps families meet their basic needs, nearly half of households who left SMTA in 2021 returned for assistance within three years, highlighting ongoing financial challenges. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Nathan Peng, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Singapore Management University (SMU), to discuss the drop in SMTA recipients and how government programs are supporting lower-income families in both the short and long term.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.