Budget 2026 continues to expand support for families through measures such as Child LifeSG credits and enhanced preschool and student-care subsidies, continuing efforts to ease the financial burden of raising children. But some argue that while these schemes reduce upfront costs, they may not address the longer-term income and career penalties associated with caregiving. 

So, are current family policies targeting the right constraints? And could more structural forms of support, including experimentation with caregiving compensation, influence decisions around family formation? 

Dr Kalpana Vignehsa, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies at the National University of Singapore, joins the Breakfast Show to unpack what a deeper rethink of family policy might look like amid mounting demographic pressures.

For more Budget 2026 insights: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/

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Markets are jittery after a coordinated strike on Iran, and uncertainty reigns. Is this just a short-lived shock, or the start of a prolonged energy-driven inflation cycle? From the Strait of Hormuz to safe havens, airlines, defense stocks, and gold, traders are reacting fast. Phan Vee Leung, CIO of Trackrecord Asia, breaks down real-time investor moves and the key risks shaping the days ahead.

Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

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The United States and Israel have launched coordinated strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory missile attacks across the Middle East and sharp exchanges at the United Nations. Tehran calls it a “war crime”. Washington says it is acting in the interest of global security.

As oil markets react and regional powers scramble to contain spillover, the question now is not just who acted  but what happens next.

In this episode of Morning Shot, the Breakfast Show speaks with James M. Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, to examine how this confrontation is unfolding, what it signals about the balance of power in the region and how prolonged instability could reshape the global landscape.

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Pasta is comfort food, but building a pasta brand in Singapore is anything but comfortable.

The Breakfast Show speaks with Timothy Chan, the founder of Pasta Play, about customisation, pricing strategy, operational discipline and surviving one of the toughest F&B markets in the world.

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Emails, messages, Slack alerts — they feel small in the moment. But cognitive research shows each interruption leaves “attention residue,” making it harder to return to deep focus. 

In this episode, we explore why your brain craves notifications and how simple shifts in timing can reduce distraction and stress at work.

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Is it ever okay to ask someone how much they make — or how much they paid for their home? In this episode, we unpack our weekend poll results and dive into Singapore’s complicated relationship with money talk: from Chinese New Year “auntie questions” to generational divides and global salary transparency trends. Is it rude, cultural, or just badly phrased curiosity? 

Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang & Emaad Akhtar

Produced by Audrey Siek

Edited by Trisha Yeong

Music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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Robots are no longer science fiction, they’re becoming operational tools for businesses.

The Breakfast Show invites Abel Deng, President, Asia-Pacific & Middle East Region, AGIBOT to share his insights of the current state of the robotics industry, how humanoid robots like the A2 Ultra are built and used, and what it takes to scale a robotics company across Asia-Pacific.

Presented by: Audrey Siek and Emaad Akhtar

Produced by: Dan Koh

Image credit: AgiBot

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The Breakfast Quiz celebrates World NGO Day!

Listen in and play along as Emaad quizzes Ryan and Audrey on all things non-profits, including some that have rather unique missions!

 

Presented by Emaad Akhtar, Ryan Huang & Audrey Siek

Produced by Emaad Akhtar

Edited by Sean Cheong

Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

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U.S. stocks slipped despite earnings beats from Nvidia and Salesforce, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite pulling back as chip stocks sold off. Deborah Cunningham, CIO of Global Liquidity Markets at Federated Hermes talks about shifting investor sentiment and whether volatility is driving a move back into cash and liquidity instruments. How are tariff risks and geopolitical tensions influencing short-term positioning? And what do recent developments at Blue Owl mean for private credit and liquidity risk?

 

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Fresh results from Singapore banks come as rates ease and net interest margins drift off their highs — raising the question: have earnings peaked? Carmen Lee, Head of Equity Research, OCBC discusses whether fee income, regional growth and ASEAN expansion can offset margin pressure. Plus, what the latest numbers signal for asset quality, dividends and strategy in a lower-rate year ahead.

Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

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