SINGAPORE — In a city that’s often seen as an island of super-rich and privileged, the lives of everyday Singaporeans are getting a spotlight in the form of a new prize. The National University of Singapore’s history prize is seeking submissions of non-fiction works that tell the stories of ordinary people in Singapore’s past. The winner of the $50,000 prize will be announced in October. It was mooted in 2014 by Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at NUS’ Asia Research Institute and chairman of the current jury panel. “The idea is to make the stories of Singaporeans a central part of our heritage,” he said. “National identity is a shared imagination, and it is important for all of us to know the story of our nation.”

A Singapore soprano who rose to fame during the coronavirus pandemic has won a prestigious international competition. Shimona Rose Thevathasan, 29, took the Pendine International Voice of the Future award at this week’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales. The prize is a big achievement for the rising star, who has been performing since she was four. She has won multiple awards at home and abroad, and is the first person to win three categories in the history prize’s 30-year history.

Singapore has many laws regulating gambling, but prize promotions and contests are explicitly excluded from those regulations. Contests and prizes must not require payment from participants, except in cases where the amount of money is irrelevant; and conditions for participation are clearly and unambiguously stated. It is also important to consider the tax implications of any promotion or contest.

SINGAPORE — Britain’s Prince William joined celebrities such as actor Donnie Yen and conservationists Lana Condor and Nomzano Mbatha at a Singapore theater for the third annual Earthshot Prize ceremony, where five winners were highlighted. The prince praised the innovations of all 15 finalists, which ranged from solar-powered dryers to combating food waste and making electric car batteries cleaner. He added that the prizes offered by the finalists showed that hope remains, even as climate change threatens the planet.

The prize, which was launched in 2018, is intended to boost Singapore’s reputation as a hub for creative work and inspire younger generations. A total of S$10 million (US$6.2 million) will be awarded to writers and creatives in various fields such as science, literature, music and the arts. This is a significant increase from the S$3 million given out in the inaugural year, when just one winner was rewarded. The prize was established by Temasek Foundation and the Singtel Group. Applicants can submit non-fiction or fiction works from around the world that focus on Singapore’s history, and are published between Jun. 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. The winning entry will receive a trophy and S$30,000 (US$21,200).