🌧 The rain is not going away just yet. Wet weather is set to continue in the first fortnight of the new year. https://str.sg/brbq

This week's trending stories:

🐶 Dog helps save owner lost in freezing Oregon woods: https://str.sg/JvhAk

💜 K-pop sensation BTS to return with new album on March 20: https://str.sg/MBC2

🧸 (For subscribers) Japan has a shrinking population of kids and a tepid economy. But its toy market is booming: https://str.sg/DZwH

From April 1, you'll have to pay an extra 10 cents for bottled and canned drinks as part of the new beverage container return scheme.

The 10-cent deposit will then be refunded when you return empty containers that carry the scheme's deposit mark. https://str.sg/k3Km

The Workers' Party will form a disciplinary panel to determine if Pritam Singh breached party constitution following his conviction in court. https://str.sg/iPpH

🤖 It now takes just 5 minutes to collect a new passport or IC from ICA's self-collection kiosks, thanks to a team of robots. Here's how it works: https://str.sg/hez8

FairPrice, Giant and Sheng Siong have announced promotions and discounts to help people stretch their CDC vouchers. Check out the offers: https://str.sg/eSCH

🤑 The nearly $8 million New Year Toto prize was split among 3 winning tickets. Each winner got $2,653,368. https://str.sg/rDVt

✨ From Labubus to Mofusand keychains, blind boxes and bag charms captivated Singaporeans in 2025.

The global keychain pendant market is projected to be worth more than $36 billion by 2033, a market research firm found. Will the bubble burst next year, or is it here to stay? https://str.sg/fS6W

#stheadstart

🇨🇳👶🏻 China is taxing condoms and contraceptive pills to boost birth rates. Locals now have to pay 13% tax on these products. https://str.sg/6kxA

Multiple explosions rocked Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, on Jan 3.

A US media outlet said that President Donald Trump ordered strikes on several sites, including military facilities. https://str.sg/HKaM

We lived day to day without education or proper documents.

For years, 7 siblings spent most of their lives without identity documents because their parents’ marriage was never registered.

On Jan 2, they finally received their MyKad cards from Malaysia's National Registration Department. Read their story: https://str.sg/7Syu

US President Donald Trump said the US has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife after launching strikes in the country. https://str.sg/HKaM

Fans flocked to Jewel Changi Airport on Jan 3 to meet Chinese actress Fan Bingbing. She was there to launch her beauty brand, Fan Beauty Diary, at Watsons. https://str.sg/HQFS

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been charged with drug and terrorism offences in New York, said US Attorney-General Pam Bondi. https://str.sg/HKaM

US President Donald Trump says the United States will “run” Venezuela until a proper transition can take place.

He did not go into detail what he meant but told a press conference in Florida: “We’re going to be running it with a group.” https://str.sg/mBNr

Men who suffer domestic violence find it harder to seek help as they fear being seen as culprits, counsellors say.

While there has been a slow and steady increase in the number of male survivors of family violence coming forward, the trend is likely under-reported. https://str.sg/njjQV

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is in US custody after he was captured and whisked to New York to face drug-trafficking charges. https://str.sg/4h8NsD

How oil factored in Maduro’s capture: https://str.sg/79aR

About 10 massage and spa establishments at Tanjong Pagar Plaza have shut in recent months.

This comes amid a crackdown on vice activities at the shopping centre and the push for a refresh at the plaza continues. https://str.sg/nARZ

Singapore is gravely concerned by the US intervention in Venezuela and urges all parties to exercise restraint, said MFA. https://str.sg/etJe

Learning to drive is now more expensive in Singapore after all 3 driving centres raised their fees beginning Jan 1.

This is to support instructor salaries and manage rising costs, 1 centre said. https://str.sg/AKCe