❄️ Stay warm if you're holidaying in Japan. Heavy snow is expected in the mountainous areas of Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures until Jan 3. https://str.sg/sKDX

A van driver led Traffic Police officers on a chase in Choa Chu Kang after failing to stop for a routine check.

He was later arrested, and weapons and suspected drugs were found in the van. https://str.sg/7rA6

A fire broke out at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre during lunch time.

There were no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. https://str.sg/qqF5

🍔 South Korean burger chain Lotteria will open at Jewel Changi Airport on Feb 11. This will be the brand’s first Singapore outlet. https://str.sg/Czcs

A man who worked at Cortina Watch cheated 14 victims of nearly $495,000 in total after offering to acquire rare luxury timepieces.

He had no intention of helping them and instead used his ill-gotten gains to pay his debts. https://str.sg/tMio

Singapore Airlines was the 4th most punctual airline in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, slipping from 3rd place in 2024.

Topping the list was Philippine Airlines, which scored an on-time performance score of 83.12%. https://str.sg/Neu8

A Scoot cabin crew member pocketed nearly $40,000 in cash collected from the sale of in-flight food and drinks.

Investigations revealed that he used the money to repay his debts to unlicensed moneylenders. https://str.sg/wFBKr

🌧 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