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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 on the outskirts

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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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Selangor speeds up closure of pig farms after ruler’s decree, raising farmers’ concerns over future

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

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

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Shorts
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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

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

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

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Singapore

S’pore to regulate blind boxes to manage gambling risks: Shanmugam

The regulations, currently being drafted, will stipulate conditions under which blind boxes may be offered.

Blind boxes are sealed boxes that contain a random collectible, such as a figurine, toy or accessory.

Police raid massage outlets in Chinatown and Jalan Besar in clampdown on vice in the heartland

Be vigilant at Geylang bazaar, beware of scams, don’t misuse sparklers: Police ahead of Ramadan

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

Asia
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Thailand election: Pheu Thai to join coalition government led by winner Bhumjaithai

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

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Selangor speeds up closure of pig farms after ruler’s decree, raising farmers’ concerns over future

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Malaysia’s anti-graft chief under spotlight as controversies resurface

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

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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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In Your Opinion Podcast

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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?

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

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

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S’pore to regulate blind boxes to manage gambling risks: Shanmugam

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

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

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$500 CDC vouchers for all Singaporean households in Jan 2027

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

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

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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.