Stories from Singapore · Singapore

A conserved shophouse on Neil Road will become Singapore's first building to achieve net zero status. A project initiated in November 2022 at the Arc Lab aims to understand the energy performance of buildings. The research focuses on the Blair Plain conservation area, which is surrounded by high-rise developments. The study seeks to analyze how structures function within modern urban environments. The upgrade follows a series of improvements to the Northeast Line that began in 2019. Digital displays are also being implemented to replace map stickers for commuter guidance. The project will utilize special roof tiles capable of cooling the building by up to 5 degrees. The site will continue to operate as the NUSR Collab, an architecture research and training center established in 2022.

Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) has launched a tender for up to three new power plants to meet rising electricity demand. One unit is expected to be operational by 2031, while up to two units are scheduled for completion by 2030. This initiative is intended to maintain the reliability of the nation's power system while meeting future electricity needs. Six power companies in Singapore have built or are currently building infrastructure for combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) units. Each unit provides at least 600 megawatts, which is sufficient to power 600,000 households. The technology recovers hot exhaust to create steam and produce additional electricity from the same fuel source. Analysts noted an urgency for private companies to build such infrastructure. Some of the infrastructure is also hydrogen-ready, according to an analyst.

Singaporean officials have issued a statement removing or correcting inaccurate claims regarding US trade balances. Singaporean authorities have issued a clarification regarding a previously released statement concerning trade balances. The report previously released by certain sources was identified as incorrect. Officials have clarified the data to ensure accuracy in government reporting. The correction follows discrepancies found in initial reports regarding the nation's trade figures. The United States has removed an inaccurate statement regarding Singapore's trade balances.

Children born between January 2, 2020, and January 1, 2021, must participate in the P1 registration exercise. This requirement includes enrollment in special education school programs. The registration is being conducted through the P1 registration program. Alternatively, these children must enroll in a special education school program. The registration process will be conducted online through the P1 registration portal. Parents are required to log in using SINGPASS with two-factor authentication. Information regarding school vacancies will be published before and during each phase of the exercise.

Three Singaporean nationals are candidates to participate in the Amazon Prime reality game show Beast Games. The series was created by American YouTuber MrBeast and is inspired by the Netflix show Squid Game.

Ground handling company SATS apologized following an Instagram video showing a service crew member throwing luggage onto a baggage belt. Analysts have noted concerns regarding the power requirements of energy-intensive operations. SATS issued a statement saying the crew members' behavior does not reflect service standards or expected care. Singapore Airlines (SIA) crew members were involved in an incident at Changi Airport Terminal 2 on April 23. The airline said it has counseled the service crew member involved. SAT has issued an apology regarding the footage. The Ministry of Education (MOE) noted that a separate exercise running until October 30 aims to minimize participation requirements for students born between January 2020 and January 2021. The Singapore Airport Authority (SAD) stated the crew member's behavior does not reflect expected service standards or baggage handling care.

The Association of Banks in Singapore announced that the PayNow nickname feature will be discontinued on 6 June. The association stated that scammers have exploited nicknames by using the names of trusted individuals or established entities to deceive victims into transferring money to fraudulent accounts. The nickname feature has been available since 2017 to allow customers to avoid displaying registered names. Singaporean banks are updating PayNow nickname features to prevent scammers from exploiting the system. The nickname feature was originally introduced in 2017 to address privacy concerns for customers. Users are not required to take any action regarding this change. The update aims to provide real-time visibility into transaction details. The move aims to safeguard user privacy while strengthening defenses against scams.

The third season of the MrBeast game show, Beast Games, is now open to contestants from around the world. Representatives from various countries will be shortlisted, with public voting used to select certain participants.

Visitors from mainland China to Singapore fell by 55.9 percent in March 2026 compared to the previous year. The total number of visitors from mainland China reached 291,600 during that month. This decline follows a year-on-year decrease of 45.3 percent.

The Ministry of Education stated that the upcoming primary one registration on June 30 will not be affected by the ongoing review of the registration framework. The registration will be conducted online through the P1 registration portal. Parents must log in using SINGPASS with two-factor authentication. The Ministry of Education announced that school vacancies will be published before and during each phase of the registration exercise. Finalized data will indicate school vacancy levels after each phase to assist applicants. The Ministry advised parents to consider a range of schools, including those near their homes. The reduction process begins with the current year's exercise. Singapore is reducing the number of Primary One student intakes due to falling cohort sizes. This move is intended to minimize the need for school mergers or relocations.