2,000 tech roles curated for fresh grads, workers looking to upskill
As part of an expanded government-led programme that partners with companies such as Accenture, NCS, and Microsoft — nearly 2,000 tech roles and training opportunities are open to fresh graduates and mid-career professionals looking to upskill.
These roles are in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data and software in more than 20 companies, under new partnerships led by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The roles include those of software engineers, security analysts and data scientists.
Social media platforms must verify advertisers’ new identities under new Singapore code
Major platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be required to verify advertisers against government-issued records and block unlicensed financial services firms from placing ads from Jan 31 2027. The measures are part of a new code aimed at tackling scams originating from online advertising.
Platforms will also be expected to detect and remove suspicious advertisements, including those using masked or deceptive URLs. Failure to comply could result in penalties of up to $1 million.
17 projects to be piloted to help rough sleepers in Singapore
The initiatives will focus on tackling the different circumstances that can leave people without a stable accommodation, rather than addressing homelessness through shelter alone. A 2025 street count found 496 people sleeping rough, a decrease from 530 recorded three years prior.
Among the projects are drop-in centres providing meals and counselling, employment opportunities, apprenticeships and support for young people. Some will also help single rough sleepers find suitable co-tenants. The projects are supported by the $450,000 Partnership to Tackle Homelessness Fund.
More graduates to benefit from NTUC’s bond-free scholarship
The NTUC Starter Awards will support 150 students in 2026, up from previous cohorts, with recipients drawn from ITEs, polytechnics and universities. Financial assistance ranges from $6000 to $16,000, depending on the institution, alongside mentorship and overseas exposure.
Nanyang Technological University has joined the programme as its ninth participating institution. The initiative aims to give young people financial support while developing their leadership skills before they enter the workforce.
Edwin Tong: Climate change escalation requires shared ASEAN response
The warning comes as countries across Southeast Asia grapple with increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters linked to a changing climate. Speaking at the ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management, Mr Tong said regional cooperation will be essential as emergencies become more complex.
Singapore will take on ASEAN chairmanship in 2027 and intends to strengthen collaboration on disaster preparedness and climate adaptation. The country also hopes to build on existing frameworks such as “One ASEAN One Response” to improve disaster response.
Internet-enabled scams and AI pose challenges, Shanmugam says
The Senior Minister highlighted how rapidly evolving technology is creating new difficulties for law enforcement, even as Singapore sees improvements in its overall scam situation. Deepfake technology, in particular, has made it easier for criminals to impersonate trusted individuals and organisations.
Mr Shanmugam also emphasised a need for Home Team officers to combine technological expertise with qualities such as judgement and empathy. His remarks came as 40 students received scholarships under various Home Team schemes.
Four Primary Schools scrap parent volunteer scheme for entry into Primary 1
Fairfield Methodist, Mee Toh, Hong Wen and Rosyth are among schools that have stopped accepting parent volunteers, which can give their children priority during Primary 1 registration. Parents who volunteer for the required number of hours can qualify for Phase 2B, although the opportunities vary between schools.
The decision comes amid ongoing discussion over whether the system creates an advantage for families with greater flexibility and resources.
Father-son Pair Raj Kumar and Kishin in Talks to Buy Scotts Square
Scotts Square, a four-level freehold retail mall on Scotts Road, may be purchased by prominent father-and-son landlord team of Raj Kumar and Kishin RK, with a potential sale by the first half of September. The tentative sale amount is $320 million.
The mall has potential for substantial refurbishment, but a redevelopment is not expected anytime soon as it would require a collective sale for both the retail and residential part of the complex.
Impersonation scams on iMessage lead to nearly $2.2 million lost in less than two months
Scammers have been posing as official institutions or courier companies, including NinjaVan and SPX Express on Apple’s iMessage service, leading to nearly $2.2 million in losses in less than two months.
In an advisory on Aug 20, the police said its anti-scam and cybercrime unit has foiled more than 30,000 Apple iMessage accounts linked to the fraud campaign. They added that the total amount lost to such scams had increased by more than 80 per cent within a month.
SG Arrival Card to get refreshed interface with 19 language options and more
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have announced that the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) will be refreshed with a new look, with passport scan autofill and 19 languages available, to aid with convenient and faster submission by travellers.
The new features will be available on both the MyICA mobile app and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) website. Travellers can try the features on the website from Aug 26, ICA said in a Facebook post on Aug 19.
