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

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

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

Malaysian opposition leader Hamzah sacked from Bersatu amid party infighting

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

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SpaceX launches 12th long-duration crew to International Space Station
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Budget 2026

AI/artificial intelligence

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Shorts
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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 to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities to deal with advanced cyberthreats | Budget 2026

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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.

SBS Transit bus catches fire on PIE; no injuries reported

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

Reformative training for young man who sold vapes to students, consumed meth

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

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‘Fated to be lovers across eras’: Singapore couples go to China for time-travelling wedding shoots

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New lottery scheme, discount packs: China makes $374m push to boost Chinese New Year spending

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BNP sweeps Bangladesh election, Tarique Rahman set to become PM

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

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

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

4

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

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Flight crews criticised for long-term, unattended use of Starbucks seats in Seoul

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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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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

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Budget 2026: 11 highlights from PM Wong’s speech

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.