The Government will raise the tax on all tobacco products by 20 per cent from Thursday (Feb 12) to discourage consumption, announced Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget 2026 statement.Smokers will now have to fork out 58.9 cents for each stick of cigarette, up from 49.1 cents now.The tobacco tax was last raised in Budget 2023 when it went up by 15 per cent. Revenue from tobacco duties in the three-year period between 2022 and 2024 reached a total of $3.24 billion.Following the increase, the additional revenue collected from tobacco duties is expected to reach $150 million per annum, a Ministry of Finance spokesperson told AsiaOne.[[nid:729819]]For more on Budget 2026, visit our microsite.editor@asiaone.com 

In the first Budget in this new term of Government, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong laid out how Singapore must continue to refresh its strategies and strengthen social compacts.«Past success alone will not carry us forward. In a profoundly changed world, standing still is not an option,» he said.From support for businesses to addressing climate change, here are the things in Budget 2026 that you might have missed.Support for businessesActing on key recommendations from the Economic Strategy Review committees, he announced measures which he said will achieve Singapore's ambitions to translate growth into good jobs and rising income.There will be a 40 per cent corporate income tax rebate in the Year of Assessment 2026. Every active company that employed at least a local employee last year will receive a minimum benefit of $1,500.The total maximum benefits for each company will be capped at $30,000.There will be support for companies to go abroad: The Market Readiness Assistance grant will be increased from 50 per cent to 70 per cent for Small and Medium Enterprises until March 31, 2029.

Long-serving employees of local food and beverage company Chang Cheng Holdings were presented with gold plaques in recognition of their service during the company's 32nd anniversary celebration recently.The banquet, held at the Fairmont Singapore on Friday (Feb 6) from 10pm to 1am, had over 100 tables and featured live performances, a lucky draw, and delicacies such as abalone, reported Shin Min Daily News.More than 100 employees who have served in the company for over 10 years, regardless of their positions, were presented with plaques reportedly weighing between 20 and 30 grams.The weight varied according to the employees' years of service. Staff with 10 to 14 years of service received 20g of gold, 15 to 19 years received 25g, and those with 20 years or more received 30g, reported the Chinese evening daily.Each plaque is said to be crafted from 999 gold — the purest grade of the precious metal — engraved with the employee's years of service, and the plaque's weight. 

At least two medical professionals are cautioning parents and caregivers to pay extra attention to their children when the country experiences colder-than-usual temperatures. Two recent cold fronts came at a time that paediatricians Dr Carolin Thomas Boyd and Dr Lisa Franklin-Banton both labelled “flu season”.

Western Bureau: More than three months after Hurricane Melissa battered western Jamaica, life in sections of Darliston in Westmoreland remains defined by darkness, uncertainty, and mounting frustration, as residents continue to grapple with prolonged electricity and water outages that have disrupted daily life and tested their mental health. Darliston, Westmoreland, have been living without electricity since the passage of Hurricane Melissa,” one resident told The Gleaner during a recent visit to the community.

The 2026-2027 parliamentary year will begin today with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen delivering the Throne Speech at George William Gordon House, the seat of Jamaica’s bi-cameral legislature. In his presentation, the head of state is expected to highlight the Holness administration’s policies and programme for the legislative year. The ceremonial opening of Parliament is characterised by pomp and pageantry, with the First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment giving the Royal Salute, after which the governor general inspects the Guard of Honour.

The Supreme Court has ruled that police personnel acted lawfully in self-defence during an armed confrontation that left 18-year-old Jerome Lee dead on Ramsay Road, St Andrew, in August 2004, dismissing a civil claim against the State. “The court is satisfied that the officers used the degree of force they honestly and reasonably believed was necessary to repel an armed attack. They were acting in the execution of their duty under Section 13 of the Constabulary Force Act,” Justice Sonya Wint-Blair said in her judgment handed down last Thursday.

Economist Keenan Falconer says he was not expecting the administration to introduce new tax measures at this time, arguing that the conventional approach in the aftermath of a crisis is to either reduce or remove some taxes to spur economic activity and accelerate growth. According to Falconer, by taking this approach the Government would pave the way for gross domestic product (GDP) growth and output that would result in a return to pre-crisis levels in the shortest possible time, allowing tax revenues to rebound.

Le lundi 09 février 2026, le Ministre du Logement, de l'Habitat, de l'Urbanisme et du Cadastre, Mays Mouissi, a tenu une séance de travail avec les responsables de la Société Nationale Immobilière (SNI), de l'Agence Nationale de l'Urbanisme, des Travaux Topographiques et du Cadastre (ANUTTC) et de la Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI). Concernant la SNI, les échanges ont porté sur l'état d'avancement de l'opération exceptionnelle de régularisation foncière au bénéfice de 5 100 (...) - HABITAT & LOGEMENT / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Dans la salle de réunion du Commissariat Général au plan, s'est tenue mercredi 11 février 2026, la rencontre préparatoire des contributions sectorielles pour le Sommet des affaires de l'Organisation des Etats d'Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (OEACP). Ce rendez-vous du donner et du recevoir a été conduite par Louise Pierrette Mvono, ministre de la Planification et de la Prospective Le sommet des affaires de l'Organisation des Etats d'Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (OEACP), (...) - ECONOMIE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Le Président de la République, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, ayant appris le décès de monsieur Ondo Methogo, survenu le 11 février 2026 à Libreville, a rendu un hommage mérité à cette personnalité politique. Un dignitaire vient de s'éteindre en la personne de M. Ondo Methogo, éminente personnalité et digne fils du Gabon. En cette douloureuse circonstance, je rends hommage à un homme dont l'engagement, la loyauté et le sens élevé de l'Etat auront marqué son parcours ainsi que tous ceux (...) - NECROLOGIE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

The weather satellite will be orbited in about six hours and 38 minutes at an altitude of 35,406 km

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that Tokyo rallies were clearly anti-Russian in nature, and there were «inappropriate links to Ukraine»

Sergey Ryabkov added that Moscow is facing «extreme hostility from Europe which has become the main sponsor of the Kiev regime and a systemic opponent of Russia»

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, February 12th

The regional crisis response center reported that a child was injured in a rocket attack

Goodness, I find the pictures of Kate Ferdinand in her bikini and exceptionally short skirts in the recent edition of Women's Health magazine profoundly irritating.

James Van Der Beek's apparent optimism seemed to shroud the reality of his final days - ones, a source exclusively told the Daily Mail, that were spent declining in hospice care.

Sarah, 66, sat down for an interview with 60 Minutes Australia host Michael Usher in 2011. But, she didn't like the questions...

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of stabbing two pupils at Kingsbury High School in Brent.

The Prime Minister has said that the Manchester United owner and INEOS billionaire must apologise 'immediately', adding: 'Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country'.

Sarla Maheshwari, one of the most recognisable faces of Doordarshan’s retro era, passed away on Thursday. Maheshwari became a household name during the 1980s and 1990s, when Doordarshan dominated the television news space in India. For nearly three decades, from 1976 until 2005, she delivered Hindi news bulletins with composure and clarity, earning admiration for her measured tone and flawless diction.

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica] At least 31 people have died after Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar, causing severe destruction in the port city of Toamasina.

[allAfrica] Failure to adhere to HIV treatment is costing lives The Ndovu Study is strengthening HIV treatment by redefining how treatment failure and drug resistance are detected, managed, and prevented across Africa and beyond.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has moved a motion in the Lok Sabha seeking termination of Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary membership and a lifetime ban from elections, accusing him of misleading the nation with «anti-India forces.» The motion follows Gandhi's speech alleging the Centre compromised national interests by allowing the US to weaponize energy and financial systems.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Arshad Madani criticised the Union Government's mandate to sing all six stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' in schools and official functions. He stated the decision infringes on religious freedom and minority rights, as some verses contradict monotheistic beliefs. Madani argued the move reflects electoral politics and a sectarian agenda rather than patriotism.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has dismissed speculation about a leadership change, stating no discussions on the chief ministerial post occurred during his meetings with Congress leaders. He emphasized the party's focus on its broader vision and goals, with senior leaders to make decisions at an opportune time.

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board will be introducing a new investment scheme in 2028 for longer-term investors interested in a simplified and low-cost option, announced Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on during his Budget statement. The scheme is a response to the CPF Board's recommendation in 2016 to introduce a Lifetime Retirement Investment Scheme (LRIS).This new scheme will be be an alternative investment option to the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) that is currently available, according to a joint statement by the CPF Board and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Thursday.In particular, the new investment scheme will cater to CPF members with a longer runway to retirement, who are prepared to take more risk and generate potentially higher returns but have less expertise in navigating the numerous CPFIS offerings.Additionally, the new investment scheme will be suitable for those who prefer not to actively manage their investments.Scheme will be voluntarySimilar to CPFIS, participation in the new investment scheme will be voluntary.

The Government will take steps to aid Singaporeans with rising cost of living pressures, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his Budget 2026 statement on Thursday (Feb 12).This will be in the form of cash payouts, rebates and CDC vouchers this financial year.The Government will be providing a cost-of-living special payment between $200 to $400 in cash to Singaporean adults earning up to $100,00 in assessable income, who do not own more than one property.They must also be aged 21 and above in 2026 and residing in Singapore. Annual value of residenceAssessable incomeAnnual value up to $15,000Annual value more than $15,000, up to $31,000Annual value more than $31,000Up to $22,000$400$300$200More than $22,000, up to $39,000$300$300$200More than $39,000, up to $100,000$200$200$200This payment will benefit about 2.4 million adult Singaporeans, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Singapore is expected to keep defence spending at around three per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP), but is prepared to spend more if the need arises, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, made the announcement in the Budget 2026 statement on Thursday (Feb 12).Referring to the 61 state-based armed conflicts worldwide in 2024, he noted that the number was the highest recorded since World War II.«The world has never been free of conflict. But in recent years, it has become more dangerous,» said PM Wong, emphasising that the conflicts are not confined to distant regions — as in the case of the Thailand-Cambodia conflict. He also reminded Singaporeans that the Republic's defence and survival are the sole responsibility of Singaporeans.«History has taught us a hard lesson: no one will come to our rescue if Singapore faces a crisis,» PM Wong noted.Evolving threats, changing needsTurning to the digital domain, he noted that Singapore is seeing a sharp rise in attacks by both state-sponsored and non-state actors in cyberspace.

A Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA) in Thyolo has been arrested after allegedly attempting to fake his mother’s death in order to claim funeral benefits from a civil servants’ savings scheme. Police say the suspect, Enosi Biniweli Mathewe, 54, was apprehended after submitting false information to the National Registration Bureau (NRB) in a bid to obtain […] The post HSA Arrested in Thyolo for Trying to Fake Mother’s Death to Claim Funeral Benefits appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Just a day after police fired teargas to flush vendors from the streets of Lilongwe, traders were back in the same spots, laying out their goods as if nothing had happened. The scenes on Wednesday morning were a repeat of what city authorities have been trying to stop for months: vendors occupying pavements, road reserves […] The post Teargas Today, Vendors Tomorrow: Lilongwe’s Street Trading Crisis Refuses to End appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has moved to clear confusion and fear surrounding the proposed rental income tax, saying the tax will only affect landlords who earn K170,000 or more per month from rent. MRA officials say the majority of landlords in Malawi will not be affected because most rental properties charge far below the […] The post MRA Clarifies Rental Tax: Only High-Value Rentals Targeted, Landlords Told Not to Increase Rent appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.