A new artificial intelligence (AI) workforce Co-Lab has been launched to help financial institutions train their staff in critical AI skills.

The Co-Lab, launched by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) and 23 pioneer financial institutions, was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Gan Kim Yong on Sep. 24.

It brings together employers and partners to assess how jobs are changing, and test practical approaches to training and job redesign, said DPM Gan in his speech at the IBF's Distinction Evening.

As part of the Co-Lab, the 23 pioneer institutions have committed to equipping their entire workforce in Singapore, which totals about 80,000 employees, with critical AI skills by 2028 through IBF-recognised programmes.

Over half of these employees have been trained to date.

The Co-Lab will lay a common foundation in AI usage for employees across different functions, DPM Gan said.

At the same time, employees will need skills suited to their particular roles and combine them with the use of AI, he added.

He further encouraged more financial institutions to join the collaboration.

Three pathways

Three Co-Lab pathways were launched: Co-Lab@Leaders, Co-Lab@Wealth Managers and Co-Lab@Operations.

Co-Lab@Leaders is designed to enable leaders to lead AI workforce transformation, help them identify valuable applications of AI and establish sound governance.

By considering which jobs will change with the rise of AI and preparing their employees, these leaders' decisions will also help shape business performance and their employees' prospects.

On Co-Lab@Wealth Managers, DPM Gan said the rising demand for wealth management across Asia creates opportunities for Singapore.

AI can help relationship managers analyse information faster and spend more time with clients, he said.

As they continue to provide tailored advice to clients, there will also be a need for stronger advisory expertise.

10 private banking employers have committed to upskill their relationship managers, DPM Gan revealed.

Co-Lab@Operations, meanwhile, will bring together major banking and insurance employers to redesign operational jobs and develop progression pathways, which will involve higher responsibilities in an existing role in many cases.

For others, staff may move to related roles or engage in new work involving AI.

It comes as AI gradually changes how routine processes are carried out, requiring staff to develop capabilities in areas like process improvement, exception handling, risk oversight and validating AI output.

Young talent programme

During his speech, DPM Gan also announced IBF's pilot Young Talent Programme for AI in Finance, designed to help undergraduates build skills both in AI and finance.

It also gives them first-hand experience with how AI is used in the finance sector, he said.

At present, the first cohort of students has completed their masterclasses and will soon begin project work under the mentorship of industry practitioners.

Job attachments at financial institutions are also open to others.

Tripartite collaboration

DPM Gan also announced that the tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) between IBF, the NTUC Financial and Professional Services Cluster of Unions, and seven industry associations across industries like banking, insurance and asset management will be enhanced.

This change will place an emphasis on helping the workforce adapt to AI through industry outreach and access to training and career support.

At the same time, it will create opportunities to develop programmes tailored to each sub-sector, he said.

Emergence of AI

"AI is already changing how financial institutions operate," said DPM Gan.

However, while AI adoption grows, some jobs will expand and others will change, he acknowledged.

"We want AI to translate into better careers for Singaporeans and a more productive workforce.

This requires commitment and action by financial institutions, as well as partnership and support from the Government and unions."

A 36-year-old man was sentenced to 10 days’ jail, fined S$4,000, and given a three-year disqualification from holding any class of driving licence after colliding with a 43-year-old motorcyclist.

The man had also hit a 33-year-old father and his four-year-old son about six months later.

Ngoh Junwen faced two charges under the Road Traffic Act.

He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced on Sep. 24, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Motorcyclist

On Sep. 1, 2025, at about 8pm, Ngoh was attempting a three-point turn onto a lane in Sembawang when he collided with the motorcyclist who was travelling in the opposite direction.

The motorcyclist fell to the left and was conveyed to the hospital.

He sustained a fracture in his left leg and an abrasion on his left ankle.

He was hospitalised for nine days and was given 94 days of medical leave.

Father and son

On Feb. 28, Ngoh was attempting to turn right at a junction from North Bridge Road onto Coleman Street.

While turning, he failed to wait for all the pedestrians to finish crossing, causing him to collide with a man and his son.

The boy was thrown about a metre.

Both were conveyed to the hospital.

The boy sustained injuries to his head and on the right side of his body.

He was given three days of medical leave.

His father sustained pain in his right knee and hip.

Eyes

The judge asked Ngoh if he had issues with his right eye or any conditions with his eyes.

The accidents were a result of Ngoh attempting to make right turns.

Ngoh denied he did and said his eyes were fine.

He also had prior road traffic offences, including speeding, running red lights, and using his mobile phone while driving.

The prosecution sought jail, a fine and licence disqualification for Ngoh.

They argued that Ngoh had two accidents in a short period, suggesting he was extremely careless and inattentive.

They said he he hit the father and son after the green man had been on for about nine seconds.

They added that Ngoh had sufficient time to see the father and son crossing the road.

In mitigation, Ngoh reportedly admitted that he made a mistake and said the victims were no longer seriously harmed.

He pleaded for leniency.

A man allegedly stole a mobile phone from a Yishun durian stall "in broad daylight" even after spotting a surveillance camera and staring into it twice.

In a Sep. 22 Facebook post, Durian Lah said that the man stole their staff member's phone and uploaded footage of him swiping the device.

The chain requested that the man "do the right thing and return the phone ASAP" in their caption.

"If it is not returned, we will make a police report and provide the relevant CCTV footage and evidence to the authorities."

In response to Mothership's queries, a representative from Durian Lah confirmed that the incident took place at their 744 Yishun Street 72 outlet on Sep. 22 at 6:13pm.

Made eye contact with camera twice

The uploaded CCTV footage showed the man wearing an arm sling and smoking at the stall where two phones were left on a table.

The man made eye contact with the CCTV camera before shifting his body to block the phone at the edge of the table from view.

He deliberated for a moment before turning back to stare at the camera once more.

After he became back-facing again, the man stuck his cigarette back in his mouth and used his freed left hand to swipe the phone.

He proceeded to walk out of the stall and onto the street.

Police report filed

Durian Lah's representative told Mothership that a police report was lodged on Sep. 22.

The representative added that the staff member realised the phone was gone shortly after he returned from a toilet break.

The man has yet to contact Durian Lah.

Responding to Mothership's queries, the police confirmed that a police report was lodged and investigations are ongoing.

China has learnt a lot from Singapore on its journey towards modernisation, and continues to learn from it, said the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Cao Zhongming on Sep. 24.

He described Singapore as taking the lead in modernisation, which he said is important for many Asian countries looking to become more developed.

As for China, he explained that China is not copying from Singapore, but rather emulating and learning from Singapore's useful experiences.

Bilateral cooperation

Cao was speaking at the Singapore-China bilateral relations session, held on the first day of the FutureChina Global Forum 2026 in Singapore.

He was responding to a question that a student in the audience posed to Zhai Jun, the Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, who had also spoken at the forum.

As Zhai had highlighted in his speech that China and Singapore differ in their path towards modernisation, the student asked whether it was possible for the two countries to form a cooperation model that can be a reference for other developing countries in Asia.

In reply, Zhai recounted a trip to Singapore in 2010, when he accompanied then-vice president of China Xi Jinping to meet several Singapore leaders including Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong, and Lee Hsien Loong.

He found that the leaders of both sides shared similarities in their views on governance, and had deep exchanges on the subject.

This demonstrated that the two countries have a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation, which can offer a basis for them to build a unique approach to it, Zhai said.

Similar development goals

Zhai then invited Cao to share his thoughts on the question, saying that Cao would have a deeper understanding about China—Singapore bilateral ties.

Cao began by saying that the two countries differ in terms of size and development stage, but have many similarities as well.

He pointed out that Singapore started its pursuit of modernisation earlier than China, which only started from 1978 with its reform and opening-up policy.

After that, China and Singapore worked together closely, and China has learnt a lot from Singapore, Cao said.

He laid out three features and goals that the two countries share regarding modernisation.

Both countries aim to achieve common prosperity for all, he said. They will not let their people end up on the streets, and will combat wealth polarisation.

Both also seek to strike a balance between their people's connection to the material and to nature.

Cao highlighted Singapore as an exemplar .in this area as a "city in a garden", and added China has followed by pursuing green development, including by tackling their air pollution.

Finally, the two countries strive for a peaceful path towards development.

He named a few projects between Singapore and China — such as the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City — and said they have made a lot of success in cooperation, and have provided useful experiences for other countries to refer to.

More to learn from

Looking ahead, Cao believes both countries can do more to learn from each other in tackling today's challenges in modernisation.

He pointed out the changes in the global landscape that have brought to the fore issues such as an ageing population and climate change.

The two countries now have to focus more on enhancing the quality of their development, moving beyond economic gains to areas such as air quality, Cao said.

He added that Singapore has had great success in social governance and economic development, while China has worked towards development as a large country with a complex national situation. Both countries thus have experiences that can offer other countries an approach or model for their own development.

In this area, he also finds much potential for the two countries to cooperate.

A 62-year-old woman will be charged on Sep. 25 for participating in a public assembly without a permit on six occasions.

She had prior convictions of similar offences in 2001, 2005, and 2007.

In July 2020, she was issued a 12-month conditional warning for participating in a public assembly without a permit.

On Oct. 12, 2024, she allegedly took part in a public assembly without a permit at Merlion Park.

This was followed by five other alleged infractions of a similar nature on Jun. 25, Oct. 10, Oct. 25, Nov. 24, 2025, and another on Feb. 14.

Despite the past convictions and conditional warning, the police said the woman remained recalcitrant and continued to participate in public assemblies without a permit.

The woman will be charged with six counts of participating in a public assembly without a permit under the Public Order Act.

Convicted offenders are liable to a fine of up to S$3,000.

The police reminded members of the public that public assemblies in Singapore are regulated under the Public Order Act, and that organising or participating in a public assembly without a police permit constitutes an offence.

The police added that they will not grant permits for assemblies that advocate the political causes of other countries or foreign entities that may stir emotions and lead to public order incidents.

Members of the public are also urged not to engage in activities that may undermine the peace, public order and social harmony in Singapore.

An Indonesian woman was accepted into a master's programme with the Singapore Management University (SMU).

Unlike most prospective students, she took to the internet to look for sponsors.

However, responses were mixed, and she was met with both support and heavy criticism.

On Instagram and Threads, Evelyn Clarissa Siregar, 28, made a post on Sep. 20 2026 to seek funding for her Master in Business Administration (MBA) programme.

View on Threads

 

In the post, she explained how she accepted an offer for SMU's Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, to begin in January 2027.

She managed to obtain an SMU ASEAN Discount of S$3,000 on the tuition fees.

However, this was still a small fraction of the total amount of S$82,840.

As such, she decided to ask for help.

She admitted that she could not pay back her sponsors in money, but stated that she could offer her "skills and experiences".

She then detailed her past experience in sales and content creation for brands.

Noting that she was in her 20s, without a husband nor kids, she declared, "I have absolutely nothing preventing me from soaring high except for the funding".

"This request for help is not only for sponsors but also for anyone who believes in me," she wrote.

She ended her pitch by calling on others to share her post or to give her advice, and promised to do her best for those that supported her.

Backlash

The post became widely shared, with some netizens expressing their support for Siregar. Others, however, were more caustic.

Her detractors labelled her as entitled, with one user telling her that there were no "free lunches".

Remarks were made about the travel videos that she previously posted on Instagram, questioning if she truly needed the financial aid.

In a criticism on Threads, one user questioned if she had ever "heard of student loans".

Another user suggested working first and saving up some money.

Other commenters were more supportive, lending her words of encouragement.

She also received advice from those who had taken the same programme, with some recommending various scholarship programs for her.

In a follow-up comment to the same post, Siregar gave an update, stating that she was refining her pitch to sponsors and arranging meetings with them.

She added, "Call me entitled if you want, but I’m just a girl knocking on every single door to fight for my dream."

Personal journey

Speaking to Mothership, Siregar shared that she was a pharmacist by training but worked mainly in business-to-business (B2B) sales in the tech sector.

Working as an employee in a small company, she said that paying for such exorbitant fees was a "significant financial consideration".

She had attempted to look for a full-time role that allowed her to complete the MBA programme part-time, but was unsuccessful in her search.

Hence, she began thinking of ways to make the MBA programme work, such as through finding a sponsor.

According to Siregar, she has been continually applying for scholarships as well.

She does not see the sponsorship as a gift, but simple as "another route", and a form of "value exchange".

"...instead of simply asking someone to fund my MBA, I thought, what can I actually offer in return?

That could be through a job opportunity, part-time work where permitted, or other ways I can contribute my skills and commitment.

That’s why I started reaching out to potential employers and sponsors, sharing what I can bring to the table, and seeing if there’s a way we can work together. I’ve also been pitching publicly, which is how this conversation started in the first place."

Clarification

Four days after the first post, Siregar made a second post on Sep. 24 in response to the backlash.

She apologised, saying that she took the time to reflect on what had happened.

She admitted that while she "didn't see asking for sponsorship as something wrong", her execution and defensive replies came across as "too entitled".

She added that she had openly mentioned the amount she was seeking "without considering the current situation or how it might come across to people", and that this was "unacceptable".

"In doing so, I was undermining the journey and struggles that many people have gone through to get where they are today."

View on Threads

 

Last attempt

Taking the opportunity to further explain her pitch, Siregar stated that for quality products to be made, she believes Southeast Asia needs robust research and development (R&D).

Siregar envisions her role as being a potential bridge between researchers, investors, and industries.

She claimed that an MBA would allow her to realise that dream by equipping her with the requisite investing knowledge.

She added that Singapore was the ideal place to do so thanks to its developed economy and science sector, where she is able to "learn from the best".

She also shared that the journey to an MBA had not been easy — she had been rejected from various scholarships and programmes, failing several standardised tests and exams, before finally landing a spot in SMU.

This, Siregar said, was her last attempt at getting the MBA.

Her second post still drew some critique.

Netizens criticised her for not having numbers or figures to justify the pitch and told her that her plan would not make financial sense for a potential sponsor.

However, others praised her bravery and confidence in expressing her goals.

What's next?

Siregar shared with Mothership that her goal was to see Southeast Asian products compete in global markets.

While she acknowledged that she's still "figuring out the exact role" she wants to be in,  she said that she was "less attached to the job title and more attached to the problem I want to work on".

She hopes to learn from Singapore's ecosystem and bring the knowledge to the rest of the region.

Heng Ah Kim, affectionately known as "Uncle Heng" to generations of Raffles Institution (RI) students, has passed away at the age of 85.

His passing was announced in a post on RI's official Facebook page on Sep. 23.

Always there with "a ready smile"

According to the post, Uncle Heng had run the drinks and snacks stall at the school for more than four decades, moving with RI from its former campus at Paterson Road to the Mount Sinai campus in Bishan, and to its current integrated campus.

"His passing is deeply felt by all who knew him, and by the many whose school days were brightened by his presence at Heng’s Cafe," the post read.

In its tribute, RI described Uncle Heng as a familiar and caring presence in the school community who greeted his customers with a "ready smile".

His wife, known as "Auntie Heng", stood by him through the years.

Together, they built a stall that became more than just a place for students to buy drinks and snacks, RI said.

For generations of students, Heng's Cafe was a familiar stop between lessons and before co-curricular activities (CCAs).

"Without fanfare, he became part of the memories we carry from our school days," the post read.

The school said it was grateful for Uncle Heng's "life lived in service to the Raffles community", as well as the warmth he and his wife brought to the canteen.

RI also encouraged members of the school community to visit Heng's Cafe when Auntie Heng returns, saying that a kind word or simply being there could offer her comfort during the difficult period.

The school also invited former students and members of the RI community to share their memories of Uncle Heng or messages of comfort for his family in the comments of its post.

"So long, Uncle Heng. May you rest in peace."

A 66-year-old taxi driver, who had stepped out to help unload his passengers' luggage, died after he got trapped between the taxi's door and door frame when the vehicle moved forward and collided with a lorry.

The deceased was identified as Chi Jingzhong (transliteration).

A coroner's inquiry into his death began on Sep. 24, 2026, with his wife, son, and daughter present at the hearing, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Among those who testified were investigation officers from the Traffic Police (TP) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

The case

According to Shin Min, the incident had taken place at 12:49am on Feb. 24, 2025, in front of The Noble Hotel along Jalan Besar.

According to the TP investigation officer, the police received a report at 12:50am on the day of the accident.

A hotel employee also recalled seeing a taxi stopped in front of the hotel.

After two passengers alighted, the driver had only just taken a step out of the vehicle when the taxi began moving forward.

Its open door then collided with the left rear side of a lorry parked along the roadside.

The hotel employee said the driver's head and upper body became trapped between the taxi door and its door frame as the vehicle continued moving forward.

Investigations later found that the deceased had earlier picked up a couple from Changi Airport.

The husband was seated in the front passenger seat, while his wife was seated in the rear.

Their luggage was placed in the boot and on the rear seat.

As the couple's home was located beside The Noble Hotel, the deceased had stopped the taxi in front of the hotel for them to alight.

After they got out, they suddenly realised that the taxi was still moving forward and had collided with the parked lorry, the male passenger recalled.

He went over to help and found the deceased trapped between the taxi door and its frame.

He then reached into the vehicle and shifted the gear from drive to park, stopping the taxi.

When paramedics arrived, the deceased was still trapped between the door and the door frame.

The impact had pushed the taxi door inwards.

An autopsy found that the main causes of death were traumatic asphyxia and severe facial trauma.

No problems found with the taxi's brake system

The MOM investigating officer said the deceased had been a taxi driver for 12 years and had held a driving licence for 42 years, Shin Min reported.

He said the deceased was a trained and experienced taxi driver, and that it was believed that he forgot to shift the gear into park as he was in a hurry to get out of the taxi and help the passengers with their luggage.

The officer added that the accident was not believed to have been caused by overwork or fatigue, as the deceased had been working for only about an hour when the incident occurred.

The inquiry also heard that the taxi was equipped with an electronic parking brake, which could not be activated unless the vehicle came to a complete stop.

As the front of the taxi had been severely damaged, an operational test could not be conducted.

However, inspections found no issues with the taxi's braking system, steering system, or other related components.

The coroner will deliver his findings at a later date.

People should rely on the Online Safety Commission (OSC) less, and not more over time, Law Minister Edwin Tong said on Sep. 23, 2026.

Speaking at the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025 (OSRAA) partners' appreciation tea event, he said the OSC hopes to lower the number of cases it handles by preventing repeated instances over the long run.

Fewer cases submitted to OSC showed that society "should be able to deal effectively with harmful content" before a victim has to escalate the matter to the authorities, he added.

The OSC has received over 500 reports since Jun. 29, 2026, when operations started, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo revealed on Sep. 22.

It has resolved more than 90 per cent of eligible reports.

Cases reveal pattern

However, Tong cautioned that the OSC should not be judged by how many cases are brought to its attention or how quickly it resolves them.

Looking at the cases collectively could provide information on how to tackle recurring issues and prevent future instances.

"But take it together, they can tell us a story, and that's what I mean by looking at the pattern. The concentration of reports in a particular type of harm is one example of why we need to look across cases," he said.

He also said the 500 cases so far will help OSC deal better with the next 500 cases, and perhaps even "prevent some of the next 500 from even recurring if we go further upstream".

"And perhaps that is ultimately how we should measure success — not by how many people come to the OSC for assistance, but by whether over time fewer people begin to do so," he said.

Work on other categories of harms

Tong also told the media after the event that the Law Ministry will continue to work with the technology platforms and study the cases.

He said: "But our approach is to have a very good, clear framework. Everyone knows what they are supposed to do or can't do under this framework."

This is to sharpen the remedies and to make access to relief more accessible and more effective for victims.

During his speech earlier, he said: "Perhaps maybe a designated email address for a start for people to submit these notices easily. So the moment you need to address a particular platform, find the email address, find the connection, and this is the right channel, and you put your request through."

"And we should approach notices in a practical and, I think most importantly, victim-centric way," he added.

Singapore is currently empowered to address 13 categories of online harms, but is tackling five specific online harms in its initial phase of operations.

Tong added that the ministry will continue to expand to work on the other categories of harms, such as cases of impersonation, in the next phase.

A man in his 50s reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest at nightclub Zouk on Sep. 19 and collapsed.

Fortunately, a Good Samaritan in the crowd stepped forward and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on him.

What happened

The incident first came to light after one of the man's friends, who goes by the username @90s_clubber_singapore on Instagram, posted about the incident.

According to the friend, the man works in the fitness industry and had suffered a cardiac arrest 26 years ago.

He had experienced symptoms back then, but did not experience any warning signs before this recent collapse, the friend said.

She said the man first partied with them at Simply Retro CHIJMES on the night of Sep. 18, before heading to Zouk.

"One minute, he was dancing calmly to the music. The next minute, he just froze and fell backwards," the friend wrote in her post.

After the man collapsed, a Good Samaritan in the crowd then stepped in and performed CPR on him, the friend said.

An ambulance then took the man to hospital.

The friend said he "flatlined" again in the ambulance but was resuscitated using an automated external defibrillator (AED).

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force confirmed it received a call for assistance at 3C River Valley Road, the address for Zouk, at about 2:35am on Sep. 19.

It subsequently conveyed one person to Singapore General Hospital.

The friend said the man had recovered and was under observation in hospital, adding that medical tests showed he did not have any blockage in his arteries.

According to the friend, the doctors said the man's heart had stopped due to an irregular rhythm and will be receiving a defibrillator implant soon.

"You managed to shut down Zouk"

In a video shared on Instagram, a friend had visited the man in the hospital and asked him if he remembered anything about the night.

"I remember Tin Box. I can’t remember Zouk," the man said.

"You can’t remember Zouk? You managed to shut down Zouk. Very few people can say that," the friend joked, adding that they had turned the lights on for him at 3am.

The man said he believed that the immediate CPR performed by the Good Samaritan had helped maintain blood flow and oxygen supply to his brain and other vital organs while his heart had stopped.

The friend subsequently appealed for the Good Samaritan to come forward so that the man could thank him personally.

Good Samaritan is a member of Samaritans of Singapore

In an updated caption, the friend said the person who performed CPR had since contacted him and was revealed to be a member of Samaritans of Singapore.

The user also said the Good Samaritan hadn't initially planned to go to Zouk that night but changed his mind.

It was also the second time the stranger had performed CPR on someone, he added.

"Coincidentally, the name I used on him is most fitting!"

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Club & Grub Singapore (@90s_clubber_singapore)