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News analysis

Taiwan’s security blanket may become warmer after Takaichi’s big win in snap polls

The Japanese PM believes that a "Taiwan contingency is a Japanese contingency".

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the lower house on Feb 8.

Student protest over campus freedom law adds to Anwar’s pre-election reform challenges

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‘Still in intensive care’: Classmates raise funds for mum of girl who died in Chinatown accident

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News analysis

A purse-snatching that led to manslaughter claim spotlights Indonesia’s use of restorative justice

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A spat between a restaurant and an influencer was out of control. Then Beijing stepped in

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Singtel-owned Optus outage in Australia: 35,000 customers still affected, advised to restart phones

News analysis

Thailand election: Bhumjaithai’s win reflects return of conservatism, mistakes by rivals

Mystery of breaking medals baffles Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics organisers

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Singapore economy

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Shorts
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79-year-old driver hurt after car overturns in Braddell accident

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What to see in Chinatown during Chinese New Year 2026

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Pokemon-themed PokePark Kanto looks magical as snow falls on opening week

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Fire damages 48 shops at Bangkok’s Chatuchak market

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Armed robbers blow up money van in real-life Italian Job heist

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Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to testify on Epstein without Trump clemency deal

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60 years of the Singapore Budget

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Small plane crashes into cars during emergency landing on Georgia highway

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Singapore

Singapore lifts 2026 growth forecast to 2%-4% on AI outlook after economy outperforms in 2025

Analysts said the data validates the positive outlook, and they have raised their forecasts.

The forecast was upgraded after the Singapore economy grew 6.9 per cent in the final quarter of 2025, much better than expected.

CCL tunnel-strengthening works nearly 50% complete, on track to finish by April 19

Worker who cleaned BreadTalk display shelves with broom dismissed; outlet undergoes deep cleaning

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility in Singapore

Asia
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Taiwan’s security blanket may become warmer after Takaichi’s big win in snap polls

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Student protest over campus freedom law adds to Anwar’s pre-election reform challenges

image-alt

A purse-snatching that led to manslaughter claim spotlights Indonesia’s use of restorative justice

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A spat between a restaurant and an influencer was out of control. Then Beijing stepped in

Opinion

After a strong year, this Singapore Budget faces tough choices

Terence Ho

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Why Carney’s ‘middle powers’ strategic option won’t work for South Korea

Denny Roy

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Takaichi won’t have a free hand even with her huge mandate

James D.J. Brown

It’s the Winter Games: Welcome to bravery and lunacy

Rohit Brijnath

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Visual stories

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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How are Singapore’s youth hashing out their career aspirations?

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2025 in visual stories and digital graphics

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Podcasts
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Health Check Podcast

Is it safe to exercise with joint pain? An orthopaedic surgeon explains
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Asian Insider podcast

Hong Kong’s tolerance for shortcuts has turned deadly
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The Usual Place Podcast

She became a plumber; he chose the woodworking life. What drew them to blue-collar work?
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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.

‘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.

Headstart On Record Podcast

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Is it better to buy stocks or invest in tangible things?
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Man admits to torturing woman, 19, to death; her brother and their MLM coach facing murder charge

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Girl, 6, who died in Chinatown accident in Singapore ‘truly like a fairy’, says aunt

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First S’porean charged under Malaysia’s new anti-littering law fined, ordered to do community service

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S’pore’s four major telcos came under attack by cyberespionage group UNC3886 in 2025

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Worker who cleaned BreadTalk display shelves with broom dismissed; outlet undergoes deep cleaning

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Artist sues AirAsia over unauthorised use of his iconic Penang artwork

7

14-year-old boy wins a new BMW car from Malaysia’s BSN draw

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NSF, 22, arrested for allegedly making fake bomb threat against Paya Lebar Air Base

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S’pore to create 15,700 jobs over five years, with two-thirds paying above $5,000

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Median household income in Singapore in 2025 crosses $12,000 mark for the first time

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PRUIndex Income Boost and PRUIndex Lifetime Income aim to support long-term financial planning by offering Singaporeans a source of supplementary income to live better every day.
This cream 'melts like snow', won't weigh down sensitive skin
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Eye bags and droopy lids: Why they happen and treatments available
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No course fees, on-job training: Earn a diploma while protecting Singapore
Muhammad Ezuwan (left) and Chew Rui Ming are officers in SPF's Policing-Study Diploma Programme, which allows them to work as Police Sergeants while earning their qualifications at Temasek Polytechnic.
41-fold growth in revenue since 2021: How start-up became a regional solar powerhouse
Clean Kinetics is led by (from left) co-founder and chief engineering officer Wilson Lee, chief commercial officer Reine Tan and chief development officer Lee Kah Lup, who built the business from the ground up after transitioning into the solar sector.

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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.