Stories from Singapore

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.

Australian pop rock band Five Seconds of Summer will perform at the Star Theatre in Singapore on November 16. The performance is part of the band's Everyone's a Star World Tour. The group is returning to Singapore after more than eight years. The group was last in Singapore in 2018. The tour also includes scheduled shows in Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Tokyo.

NFC-based payment fraud increased by 87% during the second half of last year. Scammers are increasingly designing fraudulent schemes around the deep interconnection of mobile phones for daily transactions. The surge includes payments for meals and transportation. The surge occurred over a six-month period. Phishing remains the primary threat in Singapore, accounting for over 32% of all local threats. Scammers are increasingly using mobile-led tactics, including malicious links that redirect users to fake websites, such as fraudulent ticketing sites. The report notes a increase in the speed and believability of these sophisticated scams across the APAC region. The surge is particularly noted in mobile-led scams involving Android-based fraud activity. The increase coincides with the widespread regional use of tap-and-go payment systems for meals and transportation.

Phishing accounts for over 32% of all cyber threats based out of Singapore, according to ESET. Parents of children attending Primary One next year can register them between June 30 and October 30. Children born between January 2, 2020, and January 1, 2021, must participate in the registration exercise or enroll in a special education school program. The registration process will be conducted online via the P1 registration portal using SINGPASS with two-factor authentication. Information regarding school vacancies will be published before the end of the year. The Ministry of Education will release finalized data indicating which schools have vacancies for Primary One students. This data will show available spots for applicants to balance admissions. The Ministry stated parents should consider a range of schools, including those near their homes.

The Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) is working to launch its first satellite, named Xplora, as part of a five-year agreement with ST Engineering. The satellite is designed to detect dangerous gases from space to provide emergency services with more response time. The partnership also includes projects involving Earth observation to boost efficiency.

Chinese buyers are facing financial difficulties that may impact the ability to purchase oil from floating storage. The source noted that if China cannot sell or move this oil, it could lead to market drama.

The Energy Market Authority is calling for study proposals to investigate the feasibility of next-generation geothermal energy systems. The study aims to determine if these systems can be deployed within the power sector. A researcher noted that while geothermal potential is promising, more work is required to ensure heat can be accessed safely and continuously. The study will evaluate if geothermal power can be cost-competitive with other utility generation forms. Engineers said that the system functions as a complementary tool to existing infrastructure. The report was filed by Aslam Shah. The study aims to identify research areas and propose policy frameworks to strengthen energy resilience and decarbonize the power sector. Earlier studies indicated potential in northern areas such as Sambawang, where temperatures rise by approximately 40 degrees.

The Singapore-produced film titled The Violinist has been selected for the Anise International Animation Film Festival. The nomination was discussed by executive producer Justin Demon regarding its impact on the local animation industry. The announcement was made during a broadcast on CNA938 Singapore. The production team is currently working on the finishing touches of the film. The news was shared with media professionals in Singapore following the selection announcement. The production involved co-producers from Spain and Italy, including Paloma and Cristiano. The film's themes were described as universal and human by the source. A Singaporean film has been noted for its use of traditional 2D animation. The style is described as having a timeless, fragile, and slightly imperfect quality. This aesthetic choice is highlighted as a strength of the production.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. She stressed the need to uphold international law to ensure safe and unimpeded passage through key maritime areas. The statement was made during a broadcast on CNA938. He said that these actions should align with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. These remarks were made during the 25th ASEAN EU ministerial meeting held in Brunei. Valakrishnan also urged progress on a free trade agreement and highlighted cooperation in energy security and the digital economy. The statement comes amid ongoing conflict and heated political rhetoric, according to the report. Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam stated that the Home Team AI Movement aims to apply artificial intelligence widely and responsibly. The objective is to deliver decisive operational impact through serious AI capability.

A cross-border operation targeting individuals who sexually exploited children online resulted in approximately 326 arrests. The operation addresses the growing regional problem of online child sexual exploitation. Police in six locations, including Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, conducted an operation codenamed 'Cross-Border' to arrest 326 individuals.