From Jan. 1, 2027, the gantry-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system will be phased out.

Singapore will switch to the satellite-based ERP 2 system.

Physical ERP gantries will hence be progressively removed from later in 2026, starting with those that are no longer in operation.

ERP 2 uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to determine a vehicle’s location to implement charges.

This eliminates the need for physical gantries on Singapore's roads, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) previously in May 2026.

Trial ongoing

The user experience of ERP 2 will be different from the current gantry-based system.

As such, about 1,000 motorists, mostly passenger car owners and motorcyclists, are participating in a user experience trial under the second phase of the study for ERP 2.

A small number of drivers of taxis, goods vehicles, buses and coaches, and heavy goods vehicles, as well as the media, are also participating in the trial.

The second phase started on Jun. 1, 2026.

Participants will be subsequently asked to provide feedback through surveys regarding the effectiveness of the proposed ERP 2 road signs and markings.

They will also share their user experience, including the ease of paying for roadside parking via the On-Board Unit (OBU).

Designs of ERP road signs and markings after first phase

The two-phase user experience study first began in March 2026.

LTA has refined the designs of the ERP road signs and markings for the second phase, following feedback provided after the first phase.

This is in anticipation of the absence of physical ERP gantries after they are removed.

Five different combinations of road signs and markings are being tested across five expressways and arterial roads from Jun. 1 to Jul. 31, 2026.

The five locations selected for the trial road markings and signage are near existing ERP gantries.

PIE westbound after Kallang Bahru on Woodsville Flyover

CTE southbound from Serangoon Road

PIE westbound before Eunos Link

Marina Boulevard to MCE eastbound

AYE citybound after Jurong Town Hall

ERP alert zones

Currently, those participating in the trial will get alerts when approaching ERP charging locations.

The ERP alert zones are located at the last possible exit before motorists reach the ERP charging locations.

This is to allow motorists to consider an alternative route to avoid the charge.

However, the distance between an alert zone and the ERP charging location depends on the road design and location.

Motorists can expect to receive the “ERP Ahead” notification from their OBUs at approximately 200m before arriving at an ERP charging location on expressways.

On smaller arterial roads, it will be approximately 60m.

Currently, motorists will be alerted to the pricing of the gantry they are approaching.

The amount will then be deducted after passing the ERP charging location.

Roadside electronic parking (REP) feature

Trial participants who have the OBU touchscreen display installed are able to progressively access more ERP 2 features as they are being tested.

Starting from August 2026, a total of 644 designated car park locations across Singapore will be involved in the roadside electronic parking (REP) pilot trial.

This comprises about 19,000 parking lots.

Other car parks will be progressively added to the REP system during and after the pilot trial.

No need to manually stop parking charges

Once implemented, motorists can start their parking session by tapping on the “P” icon on the OBU touchscreen.

Alternatively, a parking prompt will appear on the OBU after the vehicle’s engine is switched off.

The parking prompt will appear for approximately two minutes, which motorists can press to start the parking session.

The OBU will automatically shut down after that.

Motorists are required to confirm the start of a parking session, as this verifies their intention to park.

This is similar to the Parking.sg app.

The new system gives motorists greater control over when a parking session begins, ensuring that parking charges are applied accurately under the REP system.

Once the vehicle leaves the parking location, the OBU can automatically detect the vehicle’s departure, end the parking session, and calculate the parking charges.

This eliminates the need for motorists to manually end their parking session.

Picking right option for parking location

In the event that multiple nearby parking locations are shown on the OBU touchscreen, motorists should choose the correct location from the list, which is typically the first option.

Motorists without the OBU’s touchscreen display may continue to use the Parking.sg app to pay for parking.

Parking sessions activated via the OBU or Parking.sg app allow for a more seamless parking experience for motorists and are recorded by the authorities for verification purposes, LTA said.

The Parking.sg app will also remain in operation after REP is fully rolled out.

Other ERP 2 features to be rolled out for trial participants

The automatic payment of checkpoint tolls will be rolled out from mid-June 2026.

Participating off-peak car owners will also be able to pay for usage license using the OBU from the fourth quarter of 2026.

The trial will allow LTA to gather feedback on ERP 2’s features and user interfaces and make refinements where necessary before a full rollout to all motorists.

More than 96% of vehicles have ERP 2 OBU

As of May 31, about 960,000 vehicles or more than 96 per cent of vehicles in Singapore have installed the ERP 2 OBU, LTA said in its latest update.

The remaining vehicles that are required to do so must install the new unit by Dec. 31, 2026, ahead of the transition to ERP 2 from Jan. 1, 2027.

Among the vehicles installed with ERP 2 OBU, about 98 per cent have opted to install the touchscreen display which has the full suite of ERP 2 features.

These features include the payment of outstanding ERP charges, payment of roadside parking charges, and the temporarily disabling of CEPAS card payments for complimentary parking.

Foreign-registered vehicles have been allowed to install the ERP 2 OBU since Apr. 1, 2026.

Over 5,700 foreign-registered vehicles have opted in.

This includes all cross-border taxis under the enhanced Cross Border Taxi Scheme launched in May 2026.

Over 1,000 jobseekers spent hours queueing in the sun for a recruitment drive organised by a semiconductor manufacturer in Melaka.

A video on social media showed an extremely long queue, apparently winding across roads and pavements.

The chief minister of Melaka, Ab Rauf Yusoh, stated in a Facebook post that the queue extended to around 2km.

Interviews were being held for between 300 and 500 job vacancies including operator and technician roles, with starting salaries of RM3,500 (S$1,108), reported New Straits Times.

The company, Infineon, had initially only expected around a hundred applicants.

According to Sinchew, some applicants arrived to queue as early as 6am.

Food and bottled water were offered to those queueing in the heat.

He added that the large number of applicants does not reflect the state's unemployment level.

Melaka's unemployment rate is among the lowest in the country at around 2 per cent, he clarified.

“It is natural to expect large numbers of jobseekers when a company offers competitive salaries. This also shows that Melaka’s strong economy has made the state a destination for job seekers,” Sinar Harian reported him saying.

A local beauty chain has been hit by dubious one-star reviews on Google Maps after they were approached over WhatsApp by a person claiming to be able to help remove negative reviews.

The reviews are mostly one-star ratings and have no comments.

The beauty chain has also been unable to verify the identity of the users who left the reviews against its customer records.

Offer to remove negative reviews

Speaking to Mothership, Melinda Khor, co-founder of Sommar Beauty Spa, shared that they first received a message on Jun. 8 from an individual claiming to be a "Google review removal expert".

In the messages, the individual referred to screenshots of negative reviews left on Sommar Beauty Spa's Google Maps pages and said that the negative reviews can be removed "if you wish".

The reviews that the individual screenshotted were a mix of legitimate and fake ones.

One of the negative reviews sent by the individual was a translation from Indonesian and it read, "Ugly, it has legs."

Khor and her team did not respond.

The number appeared to originate from Pakistan.

One-star reviews with no comments

According to Khor, shortly after receiving the messages, more dubious negative reviews began appearing on the business' Google Maps pages.

Of their three outlets, the listing for its Star Vista branch received the most of such reviews.

Checks by Mothership showed that a number of negative Google Maps reviews for Sommar Beauty Spa's Star Vista branch were made within the past four days.

They were mostly one-star reviews with no comments.

For most of the accounts that left the reviews, the review on Sommar Beauty Spa's business page was the only review they had made on Google Maps.

There have been about 13 to 14 fake reviews so far, according to Khor.

No customer records of users who left one-star reviews

Khor explained that whenever the business receives a negative review, the team "takes it seriously and conducts an internal verification process".

According to her, legitimate reviews typically contain details of the customer’s experience, such as the "service received, the therapist [who attended to them] or the date of visit".

"We are also usually able to match the review to appointment records, customer profiles, treatment notes, payment records, or other identifiable information within our system," she added.

However, for the fake reviews, Khor's team has been unable to verify the individuals behind them, despite reviewing records across the affected branches.

"Many of the reviews also lacked details of any actual customer experience, which raised concerns regarding their authenticity," she commented.

No demand for payment as yet

Khor said that they received WhatsApp messages from the individual again on Jun. 11 and 13, sharing screenshots of negative reviews and offering removal services.

So far, the individual who contacted them has not made a demand for payment.

Khor has also chosen not to engage with the individual so as not to risk further harassment or an increase in the fake negative reviews.

Concerns about impact on business

Khor subsequently escalated the issue to Google by making a Merchant Extortion Report.

After being alerted, Google has since removed two of the suspicious reviews, according to Khor.

The police have also been informed.

Khor said the negative reviews have affected business.

"Online reviews play an important role in helping customers make informed decisions," Khor commented.

"Receiving multiple suspicious one-star reviews across several branches within a short period can unfairly damage a business’s reputation, undermine customer confidence, and create unnecessary concern among both customers and staff."

When asked if she knows of other businesses that have been affected, Khor said she is "aware" of discussions within the business community but is "not in a position to confirm specific cases involving other businesses".

She encourages other affected businesses to come forward to share their experiences with the relevant authorities and platform providers.

Similar cases

In November 2025, MasterChef Asia winner Woo Wai Leong took to Instagram to share that his restaurant, Restaurant Ibid, had been targeted by a similar scam, The Straits Times reported.

Unlike with Sommar Beauty Spa, Woo received an explicit demand for a fee to stop a deluge of bad reviews.

Google has set up a help page that guides business profile owners on reporting and responding to negative review extortion scams.

"Extortion scams are a serious policy violation, and Google is committed to helping protect businesses from these scams," the help page reads.

"These scams may involve a sudden increase in one-star and two-star reviews on your Google Business Profile, followed by someone demanding money, goods, or services in exchange for removing the negative reviews," it continues.

The accused, who allegedly threw a woman off a bridge in a rope-jumping accident in Limeira, Brazil, did not have any authorisation to conduct rope-jumping activities.

32-year-old Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 27-year-old Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves and 42-year-old Maicon Fernandes Cintra were arrested and charged with homicide with intent, g1 reported.

Informal group

In a video circulating online, the men who threw 21-year-old Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas off a bridge without a safety rope attached wore shirts bearing certain names.

According to local police, these were the names of informal groups of enthusiasts that conducted rope-jumping and were not part of officially registered companies.

The group reportedly consisted of practitioners who met through the sport and began organising events at various locations in 2025.

Local police said the group did not have any authorisation to conduct rope-jumping activities at Ponte do Esqueleto, a bridge about 40m above ground.

Rope-jumping

Rope jumping is an extreme sport where participants jump from high places such as bridges and viaducts while attached to a rope similar to those used in climbing.

Unlike bungee jumping, which uses an elastic cord to make the jumper “bounce” upon descent, rope jumping stops the fall in a controlled manner and swings the jumper from side to side like a pendulum.

Professional operators conducting rope-jumping typically follow strict safety protocols, including double-check procedures in which more than one instructor verifies that all equipment is properly secured before a jump is authorised.

Background

On the morning of Jun. 13, de Freitas was apparently hurled off Pointe do Esqueleto without a rope attached by two rope-jumping operators.

A rope-jumping operator was seen overseeing the pair who threw her off.

She was pronounced dead on-site.

No harness appeared to be attached to her.

De Freitas reportedly held qualifications in physical education and sports management.

She apparently often shared her love for outdoor activities and nature on social media.

Before the incident, de Freitas reportedly posted Instagram stories on her impending jump.

"Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?" She wrote in one.

De Freitas' wake was held on the morning of Jun. 14 at the Municipal Funeral Home in Jandira before being buried on the same day.

A nine-year-old boy armed with a machete allegedly chased a primary school teacher in a school in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.

The incident occurred on Jun. 12 at a school in Mueang district, The Thaiger and Khaosod reported.

In a video circulating online, the teacher was seen running away from the armed boy, who was wearing what appeared to be his school uniform.

Argument

According to a social activist, Ton Or Pen Nueng, the boy was apparently involved in an altercation with a classmate.

His homeroom teacher purportedly stopped the dispute and reprimanded him.

The boy reportedly became angry and shouted at the teacher before being sent home, with his parents being informed of the situation.

Some time later, the boy allegedly returned to the school armed with a machete and tried to attack the teacher who reprimanded him.

The teacher purportedly ran and called for help.

Other students in the school were reportedly frightened and cried in panic as a result of the incident.

A school caretaker eventually intervened and lured the boy towards an open area near the playground, before persuading him to drop the machete.

History

Residents said the boy had a history of allegedly displaying aggressive behaviour, which included bullying classmates, making threats and extorting money from other students.

The school had also previously discussed the issue with the boy’s family.

He was apparently suspended before, and the school arranged for him to study online.

However, he returned to the school in person, and his behaviour apparently worsened.

Assessment

Concerned about the safety of students and teachers, Ton said she had contacted the head of the Sakon Nakhon Child Protection Home to seek assistance regarding this incident.

Officials informed her that a multidisciplinary team consisting of child psychologists and social workers would reportedly visit the area and assess this incident.

The boy’s family background and the factors that may have led up to this incident will be investigated.

Local authorities are expected to determine appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the school's students and staff, while providing support and rehabilitation for the boy.

A two-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat in Queenstown was recently sold for S$540,000 (about S$1,067 per square foot) in early June.

It is among the most expensive transactions for its flat type in Singapore, according to 99.co.

Previously in February, a two-room resale flat just a short walk away at Block 95 Dawson Road sold for S$695,000, which set a national record for a two-room flat at the time.

SERS development

According to HDB's website, the unit is located between the fourth and sixth storeys of Block 53 Strathmore Avenue.

It still has 93 years and seven months remaining on its lease, longer than many resale flats in Queenstown.

The block is a Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) project in the relatively older Forfar Heights housing estate.

While the lease of the other blocks commenced in 2006, Block 53's lease started recently in 2020.

This new 43-storey block was built in the estate as a replacement flat for residents affected by the Tanglin Halt and Commonwealth SERS exercises.

It has 247 units in total, 42 of which are two-room flat types.

The recent S$540,000 transaction was the first resale of a two-room unit in the block, according to 99.co.

However, its other flat types have previously recorded impressive deals.

The highest record for a four-room resale flat in the block was S$1.195 million, in August 2025.

Convenient location

Apart from the long lease, the appeal of the flat possibly also comes from its location.

Forfar Heights is a short seven-minute walk away from Queenstown MRT station.

For shopping, Dawson Place sits at just a four-minute walk away, while Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, Queensway Shopping Centre, and IKEA Alexandra can be reached within a 15 minutes' walk.

UOB customers will soon have a chance to see Hong Kong singer-actress Sammi Cheng, 53, perform live.

The Cantopop star will hold a performance specially for the bank's customers titled 'An Evening With Mi' at the Sands Grand Ballroom on Sep. 6.

In partnership with CK Star Entertainment, this marks the first-ever exclusive private session UOB has held for its customers.

This event also marks Cheng’s first return to the Singapore stage in more than a decade after her 'Touch Mi' world tour in 2015.

Tickets for this one-night-only event can be redeemed only through UOB's loyalty rewards system, UNI$, and will only be available within the first half of Aug on a first-come first-serve basis. There will be no public sale of tickets.

In a statement, Cheng said, "I am really looking forward to this upcoming event. My fans in Singapore have been incredible supporters throughout my music journey, and I want to show my appreciation for their dedication."

"Connecting through music is something I deeply value, and I look forward to sharing a memorable evening with everyone in attendance."

More information can be found here.

The Singapore Police Force is appealing for information on the whereabouts of 16-year-old Dory Tan Qi En.

She was last seen at Block 679 Hougang Avenue 8 at about 5pm on May 26, 2026.

She was wearing a navy-coloured T-shirt and long pants with elephant prints.

Anyone with information is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online via www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Two Chinese football fans were allegedly robbed at gunpoint shortly after landing in Mexico City for the World Cup, in an attack that left one of them with a gun pressed against his head.

According to City News Service, the two men, identified only by their surnames Wang and Li, landed in Mexico City on the evening of Jun. 10, and were on their way from the airport to their hotel when they were targeted.

"They pointed a gun at our heads"

Li told reporters the robbery happened around 7:20pm, less than an hour after they touched down.

He said:

"Our local driver had just picked us up. About 1 kilometre from the airport, we were robbed at gunpoint. One person carried out the robbery while another waited on a motorcycle. They pointed a gun at our heads, took our belongings and fled."

Wang described the attackers as two men on a motorcycle who demanded "watch" as their first word. He recalled the attackers pressing the gun against his head twice.

He said:

"They spoke very fiercely. They pointed the gun at my head and pressed it hard against me twice. I still have the mark now."

The entire ordeal purportedly lasted 30 to 40 seconds. The attackers took both men's watches, as well as a bag belonging to one of them containing a tablet, cash, and a passport. Their driver also handed over his belongings, though the robbers left those behind as they were of little value.

Wang said:

"I didn't really feel scared in the moment, but afterwards I was terrified. My head kept hurting."

After reaching their hotel, the two men reported the incident to local police. Li alleged that officers who arrived at the scene allegedly demanded payment before leaving.

The two men also contacted China's overseas consular protection hotline. The Chinese Embassy in Mexico was alerted and reached out to the victims, helped expedite replacement travel documents, and raised the case with Mexican authorities.

Wang said:

"The embassy could protect our safety right away, and I deeply felt how much our country looks out for us. I want to get home as soon as possible."

Wang said he had originally planned to continue on to Los Angeles after the World Cup, but decided to fly home immediately after the robbery. He urged others travelling abroad not to flaunt their wealth and to travel in groups.

One suspect arrested

Mexican authorities told the Chinese Embassy on Jun. 13 that one suspect had been detained, though the investigation remains ongoing and no information has been released on whether the stolen items were recovered.

The two men managed to board a flight home less than 48 hours after the robbery.

Embassy issues fresh safety advisory

Following the incident, the Chinese Embassy in Mexico issued a fresh safety advisory for Chinese citizens in the country, urging them to stay alert when out at night, avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables, and keep travel documents separate from cash and valuables.

The embassy advised that anyone facing robbery, kidnapping, or armed attacks should prioritise their personal safety, call 911 once safe, and contact the embassy.

A 30-year-old male kindergarten teacher in Shanghai's Xuhui district has died, with his roommate saying he had been under intense pressure from both the school and parents in the days leading up to his death.

According to Sin Chew Daily News, the teacher, surnamed Wang, passed away on May 30. His roommate wrote on Weibo that Wang, usually warm and cheerful, had been stressed at work lately and had gone 43 hours without sleep before his death.

Authorities say investigation ongoing

According to HK01, a staff member from the Xuhui District Education Bureau said on Jun. 12 that they were aware of the case.

The staff member said:

"We are deeply saddened and regretful over Mr Wang's passing. The relevant circumstances are still under investigation. We also ask that the public respect the privacy of the deceased and refrain from speculating or spreading unverified information."

The kindergarten involved has not responded.

Days before, he was looking forward to a holiday

According to his roommate, just three days before his death, Wang had been looking forward to an upcoming holiday, telling his roommate he had planned a trip to Hainan, bought travel essentials, and even renewed a year-long video streaming subscription.

Wang's father had passed away from illness when Wang was in his final year of secondary school, leaving his mother to support the family on her own. He went on to study at Gannan Normal University, graduating to become a kindergarten teacher known by students and parents alike as dedicated and responsible, per HK01.

Timeline of the days before

According to his roommate's account, posted on Weibo, a series of events in the days before Wang's death added to his stress. On May 27, Wang allegedly had to take on more responsibilities after a colleague quit. He reportedly told his roommate he felt anxious every day because of it.

The roommate said that the following day, two parents got into an argument in the class group chat over a personal dispute. When Wang sought help from relevant personnel, he was reportedly turned down. That night, according to the roommate, Wang first expressed thoughts of suicide, per HK01.

According to his roommate, Wang left his home for the last time in the early hours of May 30, after going 43 hours without sleep.

Online tributes pour in

HK01 reported that Wang's death drew an outpouring of tributes online from former students, parents, and friends.

One commenter recalled meeting Wang a decade ago on their first trip to Shanghai, when Wang treated them to a meal.

A senior from Wang's university recalled knowing him through a volunteer club, saying he was someone who put in effort in volunteer activities.

A parent of a student praised him for being conscientious and responsible, and said his son remembers him to this day.

"We still haven't dared to tell him that Mr Wang is gone."