[Post 946] 5 Untold Stories Of Singapore-Malaysia Causeway: The World’s Busiest Land Crossing | The Causeway

Summary

The Causeway tells five stories set between Johor Bahru and Singapore, spanning over 100 years and united by the Causeway. From families fleeing the Japanese invasion in the 1940s, to a young athlete’s first race in the 1960s, and how a young man kept his love alive on train journeys, to a Member of Parliament finding ways to transport breast milk during the COVID-19 pandemic, these stories explore the unbreakable ties of love, resilience, and community.

[Post 945] Coffee shop toilets in Singapore have gotten dirtier over the years: Study

Summary

An islandwide study has found that coffee shop toilets in Singapore have gotten dirtier over the past few years. More than nine in 10 Singaporeans said efforts to clean up these toilets at coffee shops and hawker centres are less than satisfactory. Over 1,200 enforcement actions have been taken for public cleanliness lapses at different premises between January and November this year. A government task force has been set up and it will release recommendations in 1Q2025 to cover key areas, including the design, cleaning and audit of public toilets. Alif Amsyar reports.

[Post 944] MDDI, MOF, ACRA apologise for anxiety caused over NRIC numbers disclosure

Summary

The Singapore Government says a lapse in coordination and a misunderstanding led to some people's full identity card or NRIC numbers being published on a new online portal.

Concerns were raised after the Bizfile portal showed full NRIC numbers for free in its search results. Apologising again for causing anxiety, it has clarified that the decision to move away from using masked NRIC numbers does not mean unmasking all currently masked numbers.

Jeraldine Yap with more.

Transcript

[Post 943] Macau marks 25 years since return to China

Summary

Macau will on Friday (Dec 20) mark 25 years since it returned to China in 1999, after more than 400 years’ rule by the Portuguese. The special administrative region, like Hong Kong, has been hailed by Beijing as the exemplary child of its “one country, two systems” governance. CNA's May Wong travelled to Macau to find out the challenges ahead for the city, and how it aligns itself to China's national development plan.

[Post 942] We tried getting MC and medication from a vending machine in Singapore

Summary

Can you get an MC and medication from a vending machine? We gave it a go with Dr Kart, a kiosk that connects users to a doctor or pharmacist. The first Dr Kart kiosk, which recently went viral on TikTok, is located at the Shell petrol station at 9 Tampines Avenue 2. Find out more: https://cna.asia/4feLOwN

[Post 941] Why The Rich Keep Getting Richer In The U.S.

Summary

Elon Musk is on track to becoming the world's first trillionaire by 2027, according to a report from Informa Connect Academy. The biggest driver of Musk's wealth has been Tesla stock and his ownership of SpaceX. Federal Reserve data shows the share of wealth controlled by the top 1% has grown dramatically, while the wealth of the bottom 50% has stagnated. Some feel that rising tides lift all boats, while others think wealth concentration can be harmful to society.

[Post 940] Will The U.S. Break Up Google?

Summary

In August 2024, a federal judge determined that the online search giant Google is a monopolist that wields its power to stifle competition. The court opinion builds on years of investigation into one of the most valuable companies in the U.S. stock market. Some observers believe the raft of antitrust lawsuits could lead to a structural break-up of Google, which could potentially unlock value for investors.

[Post 939] How Amazon Is Trying To Get Rid Of Checkout Lines At Stores

Summary

When Amazon first launched its "Just Walk Out" cashierless checkout solution in 2018, analysts say it had the potential to revolutionize retail. But in April, Amazon pulled the tech from Whole Foods and its U.S. line of Fresh grocery stores. Instead, Amazon focused on selling it to outsiders and installed it in 200 third-party stores in NFL stadiums, arenas, colleges, airports and more. CNBC got the first on-camera tour of the lab used to develop the tech and its new "multi-modal" AI system.

[Post 938] What’s Keeping Middle Class Salaries Low?

Summary

Between 1979 and 2024, productivity in the U.S. soared by 80.9%, while hourly pay grew by just 29.4% during the same period. In June 2024, two-thirds of middle-income households reported that their income was falling behind the cost of living. This trend has often been referred to as ‘wage stagnation’. But more recently, economists have suggested that deliberate policy decisions have actively suppressed worker’s wage growth. So what exactly is preventing the middle class from earning a higher paycheck?

[Post 935] Where Are Laid Off Tech Employees Going? | CNBC Marathon

Summary

CNBC explores challenges currently facing U.S. tech workers, including mass layoffs, widespread cuts in company budgets, and threats of deportation for H-1B visa holders.

"The layoffs to the start of 2024 signal a dramatic shift in the tech industry," said Jeff Shulman, professor at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business. The number of tech sector layoffs in 2024 has been outpacing the number of terminations in 2023. So far, about 42,324 tech employees were let go in 2024, according to

Layoffs.fyi, which tracks layoffs in the tech industry.

While layoffs have put stress on the workforce, a booming artificial intelligence market is giving the industry a renewed sense of optimism. Generative AI startup deals announced or finalized in the first quarter of this year totaled more than $12 billion compared to about $4.5 billion invested in the space last year, according to PitchBook.

On July 16, 2023, Canada opened visa applications for a pilot program that would allow up to 10,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States to apply for a three-year open-work permit in Canada. H-1B holders are highly educated and specialized foreign workers that work in fields such as tech. After massive layoffs in the tech industry, this was a lifeline for H-1B holders who needed to find a new job or face deportation.

[Post 934] Why Men Are Leaving The Workforce

Summary

Men have been steadily dropping out of the workforce - especially men aged 25 to 54, who are often considered to be in their prime working years. About 10.5% of men in their prime working years, or roughly 6.8 million men nationwide, are neither working nor looking for employment, compared to just 2.5% in 1954. So what’s driving men out of the workforce? And if left unchecked, what impact will it have on the U.S. economy?

[Post 933] How Fed Rate Cuts Affect The Global Economy

Summary

The Federal Reserve manages interest rates to influence financial conditions within the United States. But those decisions can also affect the posture of other central banks because many aspects of international finance rely on U.S. dollars. As the world moves away from a global round of economic tightening, central bankers in the U.S. are seeking to extend the economic expansion, which is among the strongest in the world.

[Post 932] How Amazon Is Delivering Packages Faster With The Help Of Generative AI

Summary

For decades, Amazon has set the standard for fast package delivery. When Prime launched in 2005, two-day shipping was virtually unheard of. By March 2024, 60% of Prime items were delivered same or next day. Now Amazon wants to push that number even higher, using generative AI, despite concerns about energy and cost. CNBC got an exclusive look at Amazon’s use of generative AI to optimize delivery routes, make more intelligent warehouse robots, and better predict where to stock new items.

[Post 931] Why EU’s Tariffs Won’t Stop Chinese EVs

Summary

Critics say the European Union’s provisional tariffs on Chinese EVs could raise prices, reduce choice and slow the pace with which the EU meets its climate change mitigation targets. Some European automakers, especially those from Germany, oppose them. They also might not be high enough to actually stop the tide of Chinese imports. And yet supporters say these measures are necessary to offset the harm done by China’s pattern of generously subsidizing its own industries and subsequently crushing global competition.

[Post 930] We Make $263K A Year In California — And Saved Nearly $500K In Our 20s

Summary

At just 30 and 27 years old, Quinn and Brittney Sturgis, a married couple serving in the Air Force, are on track to retire in their early 40s — if they choose to. Both officers are stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, earning just over $263,000 in combined salary and paid military benefits, with roughly a quarter of it automatically stashed in investment accounts.

This story is part of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money.

[Post 929] How A Simple Idea Turned Pimple Patches Into A $90 Million A Year Business

Summary

Starface World has exploded in popularity amongst Gen Z and Gen Alpha customers because of its Hydro-Stars. These star-shaped pimple patches are used as an acne treatment and an accessory. The business is on track to bring in about $90 million in revenue in 2024.

[Post 928] How A NJ Mom Turned A Failed Beach Bag Into A $100 Million A Year Business

Summary

New Jersey mom Kim Vaccarella started a side hustle after deciding to create a suitable and easy-to-clean beach bag. However, after a botched shipment of over 1,000 bags for $30,000, Kim had given up on her business -- but then was given a lifeline three years later in the form of a $120,000 investment. Today, Bogg Bag is projected to bring in $100 million in revenue for 2024.

[Post 927] I'm Much Happier Living In Greece Than In The U.S. — Here's How Much It Costs

Summary

Cara West moved from Texas to Syros, Greece with her husband and two-year-old daughter in 2024. She now works remotely and brings in over $100,000 a year through her salary as a luxury travel concierge and through brand sponsorships she receives as a travel content creator. She says that, because of Greece's lower cost of living, her husband can be a full-time caretaker for their daughter. She also says that they're now able to put aside more money to pay down their $62,000 of credit card debt.

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

[Post 926] I Turned A $1 Property In Italy Into My Dream Home — Here’s How Much It Cost

Summary

Meredith Tabbone purchased an abandoned $1 home in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy in 2019. The condition of the property was "dire at best," Tabbone tells CNBC Make It: no electricity, no running water, asbestos in the roof and "probably two feet of pigeon poop on the floor."

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

[Post 925] Buying An Abandoned Train Car For $3K — And Turning It Into A $90K/Year Airbnb

Summary

Isaac French, 27, and his family bought and transformed a $3,000 abandoned train car into an Airbnb in Deary, Idaho. After investing around $150,000 in renovations with his family, the 100-year-old train car now offers guests a unique stay for $325 to $350 a night. Take a look inside.

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

[Post 924] How In-N-Out Turned A $4 Burger Into $2 Billion A Year

Summary

In-N-Out defies the norms of typical fast-food chains. It doesn't franchise, avoids rapid expansion and sticks to a simple menu that's barely changed in 75 years. It has a cult following and lines that stretch down the block. Here's how it turned simplicity and consistency into a recipe for success.

[Post 923] I Earn $108K A Year & Make Nearly All My Own Clothes—I've Brought In $23K Selling Them Online

Summary

Brooklyn Karasack, 27, creates and sells outfits for music festivals as a side hustle in addition to her $108,000/year day-job as an internal audit consulting manager. Since 2021, she has brought in over $10,000 from her sales.

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

[Post 922] Inside South Korea’s 6-Hour Martial Law Chaos & President Yoon's "Political Suicide" | Insight

Summary

On the 3rd of December, South Korea was plunged into chaos. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a shock move. Lawmakers scrambled to vote to lift the order, even as soldiers received instructions to stop them. In the end, South Korea was under martial law for six tense hours, before it was lifted. In the two weeks that followed, the country would struggle to deal with what happened. 

Why did President Yoon invoke martial law? Were there legitimate reasons, or was this an attempted power grab? Insight explores what led up to the fateful night of 3rd December, how it echoed South Korea’s troubled past, and what happened in the weeks that followed. 

[Post 921] I Launched A Business From My Living Room — Now It Brings In $9 Million A Year

Summary

Jenny Lei, 28, is the founder and CEO of Freja, a company that sells work totes, shoulder purses and travel accessories. The 4-year-old startup brought in more than $9 million in revenue over the last 12 months, including $2 million in profit. Here's how Lei built a trendsetting brand, despite her lack of experience in the industry.

[Post 920] I Hang Out With A Passport Bro: How This Korean-American Man Found Love In Thailand

Summary

American digital nomad Paul Lee, 28, is part of a growing trend of young, conservative Western men who travel overseas to find love or “traditional wives”. After moving to Bangkok four years ago, dating has never been easier for this passport bro, who says Asian women are more feminine and family-oriented than their Western counterparts.  

Although some critics say these men are exploiting women from developing nations with their social and financial power, others like Lee argue these ladies are free to choose who they want to date. 

[Post 919] We Turned Leftover Restaurant Food Into A $162 Million/Year Business

Summary

Too Good To Go is on a mission to eliminate food waste on a global scale. Its app connects users to retailers selling surprise bags of leftover food at the end of the day. In 2023, the Danish company brought in about $162 million in revenue.

[Post 918] I’m Much Happier Living In Bali Than In The U.S. - Here’s How Much It Costs

Summary

Steven Guo, 24, relocated to Bali, Indonesia, from Southern California in 2024. He currently makes $254,000 a year running multiple e-commerce businesses that are on track to bring in a combined $1.7 million this year.

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

[Post 917]Malone Lam's alleged US$230m crypto scam | CNA Explains

Summary

Singaporean suspect Malone Lam shot to infamy after he was arrested for allegedly stealing US$230 million in cryptocurrency. The 20-year-old used the money for swanky cars, travel, luxury watches and parties at clubs. How did he pull off "one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts" from a private individual US history? Here's what we know. Read more: https://cna.asia/40MkBxK

[Post 916] 7 luxury homes in Singapore | Remarkable Living

Summary

From a ryokan-inspired Good Class Bungalow to a property once owned by former president Ong Teng Cheong, we take a look at seven homes in Singapore that are as much of a dazzling display of architecture as they are luxurious

[Post 915] How Online Gambling Took Hold Of Philippines And Indonesia: Will The Crackdowns Help? | Insight

Summary

In the last decade, online gambling has steadily grown in Southeast Asia. It is currently worth between USD800 million to 1.2 billion. Some countries, like the Philippines, actively pursued a piece of the lucrative gambling pie, legalising and promoting virtual casino operations known as POGOS. Yet, online gambling has left many punters in debt. It has also been associated with illicit activities like money laundering and human trafficking. 

Now, Southeast Asia wants to kick its gambling habit. In July, the Philippines outlawed online gambling operations. In Indonesia, a new task force was set up to shut down gaming websites. Elsewhere, these virtual casinos face similar crackdowns. Is the game up for online gaming operators? Or will they simply move underground?

[Post 914] How To Get A Job And Stay Employable In 2025: We Ask The Experts | Money Mind | Jobs

Summary

What’s the best way to get ahead in the job market in 2025? Plus, what pay increments and bonuses should you expect? 

[Post 913] Where To Invest Your Money In 2025 (And Sectors To Be Wary Of) | Money Mind | Investment

Summary 

Investment strategies for young investors in 2025: how can they make the most of new opportunities, and what are the new risks?  

[Post 912] When Singapore Stock Exchange Was Suspended: The Pan-Electric Saga | Black Thursday - Part 2/2

Summary 

After three tense days of forced closure, the Stock Exchange of Singapore reopens. But the damage has been done - retail investors were left with scrips worth next to nothing. 

While Conrad tries to find out more about Peter Tham and his brokerage firm, the CAID team begin their investigation of Tan Kok Liang and Tan Koon Swan. A breakthrough in the case allows them a warrant for the ever-evasive Peter: it appears that Peter has forged scrips to secure more bank loans. 

[Post 911] When Singapore Stock Exchange Was Suspended: The Pan-Electric Saga | Black Thursday - Part 1/2

Summary

But unknown to many, the company has been borrowing heavily from banks. To prevent widespread panic at the stock market and the loss of millions of dollars, the Stock Exchange of Singapore closes for three days in an unprecedented move. Who caused the stock exchange meltdown?

[Post 910] Why These American Men Are Seeking Love In Asia: The Rise Of Passport Bros | Insight

Summary

But how are passport bros received in the Philippines and Thailand, two of the top destination for these roaming Romeos? Are passport bros just an update of the sex tourists prevalent in Southeast Asia? Or are they simply lonely men looking for their shot at love?

[Post 909] SCDF Officers React To Abusive Calls, Emotional Cases And Ambulance-Blocking Drivers

Summary

Aggressive civilians, harsh weather conditions and high-emotion cases – these are just some of the challenges faced by the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officers in the line of duty. Watch them react to real-life scenarios, share how they navigate these intense situations and how the public can assist the officers in their life-saving operations. 

[Post 908]Why Hong Kong Shoppers Are Flocking To Shenzhen, China To Hunt For Bargains | Money Mind

Summary

How do you save money on your shopping bills when you live in a small, crowded and expensive city? For an increasing number of Hongkongers, the answer is a trip across the border. 

[Post 907] Singapore Brand Love, Bonito Goes Global With Fashion Solutions For Asian Women | Money Mind

Summary

How Singapore brand Love, Bonito is going global, with fashion solutions tailor-made for Asian women

[Post 906] China Gen Zs Live In Budget Hotels While Looking For A Job In Shanghai | Money Mind | China

Summary 

Far from home and looking for employment, Chinese graduates find a temporary refuge in budget hotels that cater for young jobseekers. 

[Post 905] The Legacy Of Singapore Turf Club | In The Grandstand - Ep 2/2

Summary

After 66 years at Bukit Timah Racecourse, Singapore Turf Club had to find a new home again, this time at Kranji Racecourse. Despite the challenges, STC prevailed and built a world-class racing and training venue that garnered international acclaim, becoming a global horse-racing powerhouse. Beyond the racetracks, the Club continuously contributed to society through its CSR effort and also helped the nation during times of need.

[Post 904] This Family Rents A Tiny Room To Save Up To Buy A Home In Hanoi, Vietnam | Money Mind

Summary

Hanoi resident Nguyen Van Lung and his family would like to buy their own home. With high property prices in Vietnam’s capital city, a mortgage is currently beyond their budget. So they are renting for now – but is renting a sustainable option in the long term?

[Post 903] 30 Years Of Suzhou Industrial Park: How China & Singapore Built A City Together | Full Episode

Summary

NOTE: At 31:22​, it is stated that Vivo Surgical had just completed its Series A fundraising. This is incorrect and the process for this is still ongoing at the time of this video’s posting. We apologize for the error.

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In 2024, Singapore and Suzhou city in China, mark 30 years of partnership through the Suzhou Industrial Park. How successful is the park today? Which are the Singaporean and Chinese companies thriving in Suzhou? As forces of fragmentation, decoupling, and geopolitical tensions threaten the existing world order, what lessons can the Suzhou Industrial Park, offer the world?

================

About the show: 

In 2024, Singapore and Suzhou city in China, mark 30 years of partnership through the Suzhou Industrial Park. How successful is the park today?

[Post 533] Mum Blog To Multi-Million Dollar Parenting Empire: Advice From TheAsianParent Founder | Money Mind

Summary

How one Singapore entrepreneur turned her blog into a multi-million dollar Asian parenting business. 

[Post 532] 5 Money-Saving Tips For Your Year-End Holiday | Money Mind | Saving Hacks

Summary

It’s the peak holiday travel period but there are still ways to save money booking your vacation. Here are some tips.  

[Post 531] They Give Unwanted Food A New Life And Help People Save On Food Costs | Money Mind | Cost Of Living

Summary

Can you save the earth and cut your food bills at the same time? For one Singapore business, the solution lies in giving unwanted food a second life. 

[Post 530] Why Are Healthcare Costs Rising In Singapore – Is There Really Nothing We Can Do About It?

Summary

Healthcare costs are on the rise all over the world, including in Singapore, because of factors ranging from inflation to ageing populations. As of 2021, the government accounted for more than half of Singapore’s healthcare expenditure, while a fifth comes out of individuals’ pockets.

Some are asking: Why can’t healthcare be free, or why aren’t there more subsidies? The short answer: Sustainably financing healthcare requires careful balancing.

CNA Insider speaks to hospital frontliners, an economist and others to uncover what’s driving healthcare costs up — and how these can be managed. To ensure that healthcare remains affordable for all, the government is raising MediShield Life premiums from April 2025 to support higher claim limits and expanded coverage for more treatments such as cell, tissue and gene therapy. 

 

(Video produced in partnership with the Ministry of Health.)

[Post 529] Why Gen Z Spends: "I Splurge On Shopping Because I Deserve It" | Money Mind | Philippines

Summary

“Dasurv” is Filipino slang for deserving rewards to celebrate small wins. But what happens when small buys add up to big bills?  

[Post 528] Financial Winners (& Losers) For Investors As Trump Sets US's Path For Next Four Years | Money Mind

Summary

What a second Trump presidency means for your money.

[Post 527] Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs): Why Are They Speeding Out Of Control? | Talking Point | Full Episode

Summary

Have you seen these devices whizzing past you lately? Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) are in the spotlight as Singaporeans await tighter regulations next year. Why are people increasingly seen zipping around on these devices? How accessible are illegal PMAs, and who’s enforcing the rules? In this episode of Talking Point, Steven Chia zooms into the misuse of PMAs and who these people are, while uncovering the risks posed by speeding PMAs through a speed experiment.

Steven also breaks down the confusion between PMAs, PMDs, and PABs, and meets an occupational therapist to find out how one could possibly qualify for a PMA next year. Finally, he sits down with a member of the Active Mobility Advisory Panel to ask the big question: Should able-bodied people be allowed to use PMAs if they do so responsibly?

[Post 526] Why This Family Moved From Kuala Lumpur To A Tiny Home In The Countryside | Money Mind | Malaysia

Summary

Have you ever dreamt of escaping the crowded city for more space and less stress in the countryside? We meet the Casal family, who left city life and downsized to a tiny house in a forested area in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. 

[Post 525] How Yoga Movement's Founder Turned 1 Studio Into 11 In Asia Without Taking Any Loans | Money Mind

Summary

How do you turn your passion into a successful business, and all without external funding? 12 years ago, Alicia Pan poured all her savings into her first yoga studio. Today, she has 11 in Singapore and Hong Kong. She tells Money Mind what she wishes she had done differently when she first started her business.

[Post 524] US$700 A Month On Bubble Tea: Why China's Youth Are Indulging In The Beverage | Money Mind | China

Summary

China’s economy might be slowing down but for its youth, there’ll always be time for tea. We meet 28-year-old Shanghai resident Tong Xiaodai. She loves milk tea so much that she spends up to RMB5000 or US$700 a month on the beverage.

[Post 523] China's Youth Retirement Villages Where Young Workers Escape Rat Race | Money Mind

Summary

Early retirement is a dream for many. In China, some young city dwellers are getting to live out their dream retirement lifestyle, a few decades early. We visit one such youth retirement village, where you'll find hardly anyone over the age of 40. 

[Post 522] Market Volatility, Election Uncertainty And Fed Moves: Where To Invest Right Now | Money Mind

Summary

Strategies for riding out volatility into the new year.

[Post 521] Will more COEs bring down prices? | Deep Dive podcast

Summary

Up to 20,000 additional Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) will be progressively injected across all vehicle categories from February 2025. Why is the government making this move and will this bring COE premiums down?

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Arthur Wong, managing director of ACM Automobiles.

[Post 520] What it's like working on a budget airline

Summary

Twenty years ago, the first local budget airline took off from Singapore's Changi Airport and since then, the industry has not looked back. Jetstar cabin crew member Norazman Sapiie and Scoot associate management pilot Keagan Pang talk about what it's like to work for a budget carrier. https://cna.asia/3NXdpau

[Post 519] Day Trip To JB:Fern Pine Cafe

Recently, my family and I visited the buffet at Holiday Villa near KSL. To sum it up, I’d rate it a 6/10. The ambiance was pleasant, and sitting by the window offered some nice views, but the food wasn’t replenished quickly enough.

While the selection of dishes was decent, I’d recommend trying Seoul Garden at City Square instead, especially if you’re looking for a better hotpot and grill experience.

Restaurant Layout

Sushi 

Fried Food

Pastries 

Overall, if you're not too picky about food and prefer a buffet experience in a more relaxed, less crowded setting, this is the perfect spot for you.

[Post 518] How Disney Vacations Became Too Expensive For Many Americans

Summary

Once a right of passage for most American families, theme parks like Disney World and Disneyland are quickly becoming out of reach for many middle class American families. Over the past 10 years, the average cost for a Disney World single-park ticket has increased more than 56%, above the national rate of inflation of 32% in the same period. And that doesn’t include the cost of food, merchandise, lightning lane, hotels and airfare.  The average cost of a five-night Disney World vacation for a family of four in 2024, with all the bells and whistles, comes in at around $5,000, according to Wolfe Research. In its Q3 2024 earnings, Disney said its parks and experiences segment felt pressure due to lower consumer demand and inflation. This is a trend that is industry wide — Comcast’s Universal Studios also experienced a drop in attendance in 2024. Disney World is the most visited theme park in the world, but have recent price increases pushed inflation-weary Americans away? Will Disney trips continue to be a staple of American childhoods or is it becoming a luxury? CNBC explores.

[Post 517] How Gen Z Is Buying Homes Younger Than Millennials And Boomers Did

Summary

In 2023, Gen Z led in homeownership among young adults, with a higher rate of homeownership at age 24 compared to millennials and Gen X at the same age. Despite their relatively small share of the housing market and challenges like high prices and limited inventory, many Gen Z individuals are determined to buy homes in the near future. This shift could have significant effects on the housing market and the broader economy.

[Post 516] How Google, Microsoft And Amazon Are Raiding AI Startups For Talent

Summary

Microsoft, Google and Amazon, along with other tech companies, have been getting creative in how they’re poaching talent from top artificial intelligence startups. Earlier this month, Google inked an unusual deal with Character.ai to hire away its prominent founder, Noam Shazeer, along with more than one-fifth of its workforce while also licensing its technology. It looked like an acquisition, but the deal was structured so that it wasn’t. Google wasn’t the first to take this approach.

In March, Microsoft signed a deal with Inflection that allowed Microsoft to use Inflection’s models and to hire most of the startup’s staff. Amazon followed in June with a faux acquisition of Adept where it hired top talent from the AI startup and licensed its technology.

It’s a playbook that skirts regulators and their crackdown on Big Tech dominance, provides an exit for AI startups struggling to make money, and allows megacaps to pick up the talent needed in the AI arms race.

But while tech giants might think they’re outsmarting antitrust enforcers, they could be playing with fire. CNBC’s Deirdre Bosa has the story.

[Post 515] Why Fast Food Chains Like McDonald’s, Wendy’s And Taco Bell Brought Back Value Meals

Summary

Fast food has become a luxury for many consumers who are constantly looking for deals and cheap meals. Many popular chains have noticed the pullback and have rolled out the return of value meals. These nostalgic menus offer select items for a cheap price and food chains hope it's a way to bring customers back and to spend on more items outside of the discounted food items.

[Post 514] How Wingstop Became One Of The Hottest Restaurant Stocks

Summary

Wingstop is capitalizing on the American appetite for chicken and providing investors with strong, consistent growth. In the past five years, the company’s share price is up over 250%, and it has grown its store footprint to 2,352 restaurants worldwide. The chicken-wing chain has expanded its offerings and continued to grow brand awareness. Watch the video to find out how Wingstop became one of the hottest restaurant stocks of the year.

[Post 513] Funeral director opens up over high-profile cremation mix-up

Summary

Up Close: Funeral director Harmony Tee left her auditing job in the United States to continue her family’s funeral business seven years ago. She talks about the challenges in the 'business of death',  including how she handled the high-profile cremation mix-up controversy in 2019.

[Post 512] What The Rise Of Fake Job Listings Says About The Job Market

Summary

Ghost jobs are on the rise, even as the U.S. labor market appears healthy. While data suggests a tight job market, many workers still struggle to find employment, revealing a gap between statistics and reality. Interestingly, the rise of ghost job listings may play a significant role in this disconnect.

[Post 511] How I Grew A $100K A Year Business Without A College Degree

Summary 

Anna-Marie Ortiz, 30, started a side hustle with her last $2,000 in savings in July 2023. A year later, Cool Aunt Cleaners brings in an average of $10,000 a month, and Anna's since quit her day job to run the business full-time. Here's how she did it.

[Post 510] I Make $87K A Year As An Undertaker — And I'm Wildly Happy

Summary

Victor M. Sweeney, 33, doesn't fear death. The licensed mortician and funeral director in Warren, Minnesota observed his first embalming at age 18. Here's a look at what it takes to do his job, and why he's happy with the way his life has turned out.

[Post 509] We Left The U.S. For Japan To Buy A $7,500 Abandoned Home

Summary

"The move is the best decision we ever made," says American couple Dani and Evan Benton. The millennial couple runs a guesthouse and honeybee farm on an island in Japan. Take a look inside.

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

[Post 508] I Bought A $750K House At Age 23 - Here's How

Summary

Sharon Kim, 24, saw her homeownership dreams come true in early 2024. She partnered with her older brother and his wife to purchase a $750,000 home in New York. Here's how they did it.

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

[Post 507] Healthcare costs are rising. What can we do about it? | Money Talks

Summary

Singapore may have one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but this comes at a heavy price. In this week’s Money Talks, Dr Jeremy Lim from NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health explains how early detection of diseases may help lower your healthcare expenses in future.

 

This podcast was produced in partnership with the Ministry of Health.