Singapore to train 100,000 AI-savvy workers by 2029
The effort will come under a new National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP), which will also cover plans to equip 10,000 enterprises with AI smarts over the next three years.
Announcing the moves at a debate on her ministry’s budget on March 2, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said that AI know-how, domain expertise and the human touch are a powerful combination. “Not all of us can be AI engineers. But we can be ‘bilingual’ in AI and our own areas of expertise, to solve problems in our domains.”
Singapore to raise retirement age to 64 and re-employment age to 69: Tan See Leng
The retirement age in Singapore will be raised to 64 on July 1, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said on March 3. The re-employment age will also be raised to 69 on July 1. This means that Singapore is on track to raise the retirement age to 65 and the re-employment age to 70 by 2030.
Speaking during the debate on the Ministry of Manpower’s annual budget, Dr Tan said: “This will give our seniors more flexibility and assurance, while enabling employers to retain experienced workers.” To support employers who continue to hire senior workers, the Senior Employment Credit will be extended until December 2027.
60-storey BTO project to be built in Pearl’s Hill; HDB to construct taller blocks where possible
The 1,700 unit Build-To-Order (BTO) project will be the first time in more than 40 years that public housing is built on the hill in Outram Park, and could be the first of several such super-tall public housing developments in Singapore.
This move to inject housing into older towns is part of the Government’s plan to build more flats faster, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat in Parliament on March 4. To meet growing demand from singles and seniors, the authorities will also ramp up two-room flexi flat supply by nearly 50 per cent from 2026 to 2028.
High-ability pupils to attend advanced modules outside school after GEP is discontinued
From 2027, primary school pupils with high academic potential can attend advanced classes at 15 designated centres across the country, following the recent discontinuation of the Gifted Education Programme (GEP).
Education Minister Desmond Lee said on March 3 that these centres will be located within primary schools selected for their “good geographic spread” and accessibility by public transport. The centres will offer weekly after-school advanced modules for English, mathematics and science, while interdisciplinary modules will be conducted during the school holidays.
Ferrying workers in caged lorry decks to be banned from next year
To improve the safety of worker transportation, workers cannot be ferried in caged lorry decks from Jan 1, 2027. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said on March 4 this follows other measures such as lower speed limits and minimum space requirements.
She added that caged lorry decks present additional safety risks to passengers seated in them. The Land Transport Authority announced that companies that fail to comply with the ban from Jan 1, 2027 will be subject to penalties, and that more details will be shared before then.
S’pore’s fertility rate sinks to new low of 0.87, citizen population could shrink by early 2040s
Singapore’s resident total fertility rate (TFR) sank to a new low of 0.87 in 2025. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Feb 26 that with birth rates falling at an unprecedented pace, Singapore’s citizen population may start to shrink by the early 2040s without new interventions.
DPM Gan stressed the need to therefore have a “carefully managed immigration flow to augment our low birth rate”. Depending on demographic trends, the Government expects to take in between 25,000 and 30,000 new citizens a year over the next five years, he said.
Clouds obscure blood moon, leaving S’poreans with nearly 3-year wait for next lunar eclipse
A rare red-hued moon was hidden from view over Singapore on March 3, as thick cloud cover obscured the total lunar eclipse. Several astronomy enthusiasts took to social media to lament the clouded-out spectacle, and expressed disappointment at missing out on a full view of the blood-red celestial display. The next total lunar eclipse that will be visible from Singapore will occur on Dec 31, 2028.
New high-performance sport entity SpexSG will have more operational freedom, funding flexibility
A new high-performance entity, Sports Excellence Singapore (SpexSG), will be launched on April 1 to consolidate the High Performance Sport Institute, Singapore Sports School, and national football project Unleash the Roar!.
Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo said on March 5 that this consolidation will “materially transform the sporting ecosystem for the better”. Experts praised SpexSG’s Company Limited by Guarantee structure for allowing crucial operational flexibility, agility, and the ability to recruit top talent more effectively.
External conflicts must never divide S’poreans: Faishal Ibrahim on Middle East attacks
On March 5, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim called for citizens to stand together following recent events in the Middle East. His comments come after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28, which triggered retaliatory attacks across the region.
Associate Professor Faishal added that the attacks in the Middle East are a reminder that Singapore’s peace and harmony are precious and cannot be taken for granted. “As Singaporeans, we must stand together, support one another and maintain the mutual respect and understanding that define our society,” he said.
Pump prices in Singapore rise amid widening Middle East conflict
Prices of petrol have climbed as the conflict in the Middle East, which has shut a crucial channel for oil supplies, escalates with no end in sight. SPC raised its posted price of the popular 95-octane fuel by four cents from $2.87 to $2.91 at 3pm on March 4.
Shell was the first to raise its posted price of 95-octane fuel, also by four cents, to $2.92 per litre on the morning of March 3. Caltex, Esso, and Sinopec increased its prices to match Shell’s within the same day. The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is closely monitoring the situation.
