The Big Story: China’s Two Sessions begins, but is their weaking economy stealing the spotlight?

China’s annual Two Sessions are underway, but it comes at a pivotal moment, with rising global tensions in the Middle East and fresh economic signals from Beijing. This year, China has set its lowest growth target since 1991, underscoring concerns about slowing momentum and shifting economic prior…

Wealth Tracker: Can Asia-based investors beat the US market before it even opens?

Imagine being able to trade U.S. stock options before the market even opens, acting on overnight news, earnings, and global events, all from Asia. Today, we dive into how pre-market options are reshaping strategies, risks, and opportunities for investors, and why one brokerage is leading the charge…

What's Trending: Would you shop at 3am? This mall thinks you will ... and a CEO’s burger bite sparks a meme war

Would you shop at a mall at 3AM? Seletar Mall is experimenting with 4AM closing hours, complete with late-night activities and a viral 'Downmall Challenge' that shows a former Singapore Youth Olympic cyclist riding a bike down the mall’s escalators.  Then in a new update, a family feud twist: Broo…

Market View: Bitcoin jumps past $73K - Is risk appetite returning?

Markets across the Asia-Pacific rebounded today, with most major indices trading higher after several days of steep losses. South Korea’s Kospi led the gains, surging as much as 12% at one point — a sharp turnaround after suffering its worst session on record just a day earlier. Overnight in the U…

The Big Story: Petrol prices on the rise amid Middle East conflict - Should you brace for higher prices if the war prolongs?

As tensions flare in the Middle East, global oil markets are on edge. Here in Singapore, major players like Shell, Caltex, Esso and Sinopec have raised 95-octane prices to around $2.92 a litre. Behind the spike? Growing fears that supplies could be disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz, one of th…

Market View: How vulnerable is the STI to the Middle East conflict?

Markets bled red as the Straits Times Index (STI) slid to 4,812, with banks and blue chips, from DBS and UOB to Singtel and SIA, leading the losses. Over $3.6 billion in value changed hands, but confidence was harder to find. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks with Dan Chang of Philip Securities t…

Wealth Tracker: Are AI investments getting ahead of fundamentals?

AI is everywhere, from trillion-dollar tech giants ramping up spending to Asian markets stepping up their role in the global supply chain. But with valuations stretched and volatility creeping back in, is it still about chasing the AI trade, or is it time to get more disciplined? On Wealth Tracker…

What’s Trending: Has the teacher “cortisol” ranking trend in Singapore gone too far… and is a murder suspect gaining fans for her looks?

Students in Singapore are rating their teachers based on whether they cause “high cortisol” or “low cortisol”, complete with photos, stress meters, and viral TikTok edits. Harmless school humour or public shaming that’s gone too far? At the same time, a shocking case out of South Korea is raising …

Sports Minutes: Ryaan Sanizal on leading Hougang United through turmoil, Tampines Rovers roots & more

Sanctions. Forfeits. Points docked. It’s been a bruising week for Hougang United following the ruling by the Football Association of Singapore over the fielding of an ineligible player. In an EXCLUSIVE Sports Minutes sit-down, club captain Ryaan Sanizal tackles the tough questions head-on — speakin…

The Big Story: Cancelled flights, stranded Singaporeans - Will the Middle East travel chaos worsen as the Iran conflict continues?

Air travel across the Middle East has been thrown into turmoil as escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran lead to widespread airspace restrictions, flight cancellations, and rerouting. Thousands of passengers are being affected, including Singaporeans caught in the regio…