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Singapore firms cheer Budget 2026’s AI and globalisation push

But labour-intensive sectors say rise in costs of hiring foreign workers may put squeeze on firms, consumers.

Labour-intensive firms said a rise in costs of hiring foreign workers may put the squeeze on firms and consumers.

Johoreans say JB is now ‘Singapore-priced’. This CNY, they’re shopping at the outskirts

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‘Don’t repeat 1MDB’s mistake’: Malaysia’s anti-graft chief under spotlight as controversies resurface

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News analysis

Starlink’s role in Ukraine war sets China thinking about hurdles to its possible seizure of Taiwan

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HK opens 2 top civil service jobs to outside candidates for first time. Will this shake things up?

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Thai PM Anutin registers marriage with girlfriend ahead of Valentine’s Day

Thailand’s election winner Bhumjaithai seals coalition deal with Pheu Thai

Super-cheap bubble tea and fat hongbao: Chinese tech firms splurge to draw AI app users this CNY

Latest headlines

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S’pore alpine skier Faiz Basha’s Winter Olympics races to be streamed live on YouTube

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MAGA vs MAGA: Georgia election exposes divisions in Trump’s base

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Crosscountry-Klaebo wins eighth gold of Games, ties record for Winter Olympic titles

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UK terrorism ban on Palestine Action group unlawful, court rules after appeal

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Curling-Curlers are loving the noisy fans at Winter Games
Trending

Budget 2026

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Shorts
NTU students in rowdy lo hei video to be counselled

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SBS Transit bus catches fire on PIE after BKE exit

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18-year-old teenager kills principal in Thailand school shooting

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Shanghai sinkhole swallows road in seconds

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Budget 2026: What’s in it for Singaporeans?

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Are you pumped up for AI?

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New CPF investment scheme to help members grow their savings | Budget 2026

2:13

PM Wong to chair new National AI Council to drive Singapore’s AI agenda | Budget 2026

1:55

PM Wong announces reduced vehicle PARF rebate, 20% hike to tobacco tax | Budget 2026

1:18

Singapore

Overall MRT reliability up in January; train punctuality dips across network

Ongoing tunnel works between the CCL’s Mountbatten and Paya Lebar stations affected punctuality figures.

Commuters at Bishan Circle Line MRT station Dec 7, 2025.

2 new measles cases detected in Singapore, bringing total to 13 for 2026 so far

SBS Transit bus catches fire on PIE; no injuries reported

Man who attacked woman with axe at Sims View residence charged with attempted murder

Asia
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Super-cheap bubble tea and fat hongbao: Chinese tech firms splurge to draw AI app users this CNY

image-alt

‘Don’t repeat 1MDB’s mistake’: Malaysia’s anti-graft chief under spotlight as controversies resurface

image-alt

HK opens 2 top civil service jobs to outside candidates for first time. Will this shake things up?

image-alt

Johoreans say JB is now ‘Singapore-priced’. This CNY, they’re shopping at the outskirts

Opinion

Budget 2026: Singapore wants to leap from Smart Nation to AI Nation. The hard part starts now

Lin Suling

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Budget 2026: CDC vouchers tell only half the story about giveaways

Bhavan Jaipragas

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Neighbour disputes: What if you, in fact, are the nuisance?

Annabelle Chow

The shingles vaccine may have a dementia upside

Anjana Ahuja

Visual stories

Budget 2026 calculator: Check your benefits and estimated tax

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Singapore Budget 2026: A step to secure the future

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Sumiko at 62: Four simple exercises to improve balance

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The Week in Pictures: Winter Olympics action, Thailand and Japan go to the polls

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Sweat, mud, and tears: How Basic Military Training turns boys into men

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Made in the US, sourced globally: Why American firms aren’t spared the impact of Trump’s tariffs

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The BMT Journey: Inside Basic Military Training Centre’s School 2

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Coming to a road near you: How Singapore’s traffic signs are being upgraded

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Who goes missing in Singapore?

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Why did my polytechnic diploma disappear?

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Podcasts
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Asian Insider Podcast

Strategic calculations behind India's trade deals flurry
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The Usual Place Podcast

Budget 2026: Why is Singapore betting big on AI?
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In Your Opinion Podcast

Temporary or permanent relief? The future of CDC vouchers
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ST Podcasts

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Young & Savvy

Career road bumps can hurt, but I learnt that no experiences are wasted

The new skills picked up in a job taught the writer a lot about stepping out of her comfort zone.

The new skills picked up in a job taught the writer a lot about stepping out of her comfort zone, and about resilience and adaptability.

Meet the young people in Singapore ‘stacking’ overseas internships to get ahead

‘Thanks, I made it myself’: How these handy Singaporeans DIY-ed renovation works for their spaces

Me and My Money: AXS boss’ meals from hawkers come with a side dish of lessons on payment challenges

Video: Can Singapore really be friends with everyone?

askST Jobs: I feel overqualified at work. Should I move to a new role?

Employees can expand their existing role by taking on more complex problems, leading initiatives beyond one’s formal remit, or building skills that the organisation will need next.
Employees can expand their existing role by taking on more complex problems, leading initiatives beyond one’s formal remit, or building skills that the organisation will need next.

‘Like scrapbooking, but on a bag’: Why Singapore girls are spending big on ita-bags

Polytechnic students Phoebe Ang (right), 18, polytechnic student, and Aryaan Yew, 22, with their Ita-bags on Feb 1, 2025.
Polytechnic students Phoebe Ang (right), 18, polytechnic student, and Aryaan Yew, 22, with their Ita-bags on Feb 1, 2025.

Headstart On Record Podcast

Investing in stocks or stuff?

Is it better to buy stocks or invest in tangible things?
Is it better to buy stocks or invest in tangible things?
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1

‘We don’t introduce ourselves as Chinese, Malay or Indian, but as Singaporean’

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Singapore Pools wrongly gave double payouts to 3,000 winning bets due to technical disruption

3

Smokers to pay more for tobacco products as 20% tax hike kicks in on Feb 12

4

PARF rebate for deregistering cars reduced, maximum amount halved to $30,000

5

Grandsons of OCBC’s founding father buy Barker Rd bungalow for $43.2m, Sentosa condos for $23.9m

6

$500 CDC vouchers for all Singaporean households in Jan 2027

7

French govt issues report urging people to eat less meat for the sake of health, climate

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Budget 2026: Goodies Singaporeans will get – from CDC vouchers to LifeSG credits for children

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TB outbreak in Malaysia: Is there a need to defer travel plans?

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CPF top-ups for seniors with lower savings; higher CPF contributions for senior workers

Branded content
Grain-fed pigs, modern tech: Where to get ‘sweeter’, more tender pork for your CNY feast
FairPrice Group brings in fresh Malaysia pork via its subsidiary OJJ, with live pigs arriving by boat before being butchered and packed locally for optimal quality.
FairPrice Group brings in fresh Malaysia pork via its subsidiary OJJ, with live pigs arriving by boat before being butchered and packed locally for optimal quality.
Why this S'porean lawyer spends her evenings mastering intricate footwork
How one entrepreneur scaled her business – and the platform that helped her get there
Using global payments platform Airwallex for its finance operations has made it much easier for Motherswork to scale the business abroad, says founder and chief executive officer Sharon Wong.
Using global payments platform Airwallex for its finance operations has made it much easier for Motherswork to scale the business abroad, says founder and chief executive officer Sharon Wong.
Different roots, one home: Their stories of living in multicultural S'pore
‘I don't want my children to argue about my care’: Why this mother created an LPA
With her husband's Lasting Power of Attorney in place, Mrs Toh Boon Keng was able to make swift medical and financial decisions when he lost mental capacity.
With her husband's Lasting Power of Attorney in place, Mrs Toh Boon Keng was able to make swift medical and financial decisions when he lost mental capacity.
How working adults are future-proofing their careers without disruption
IAL's CPD courses provide accessible learning opportunities for working professionals looking to build new skills alongside their daily commitments.
IAL's CPD courses provide accessible learning opportunities for working professionals looking to build new skills alongside their daily commitments.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.