The Straits Times

UPDATE: The suspicious item at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah has been found to be harmless. Police operations are still ongoing and members of the public are advised to avoid the location until further notice. https://str.sg/uPRK

The police are at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah after receiving a call for assistance. Church members say a suspicious item was found, leading to the building being cordoned off. https://str.sg/uPRK

No Singaporeans were affected by the knife attacks in Taipei, said the Singapore Trade Office in the city. Those in or travelling to Taiwan are reminded to exercise vigilance, monitor developments through the local news, and heed the instructions of the local authorities. https://str.sg/sC6z

A 53-year-old man, who was arrested within 6 hours of a stabbing incident in Tampines, has been charged with voluntary causing hurt with a knife. The victim sustained wounds to his right lower back and left forearm. https://str.sg/CcJM

This week's trending stories: 🥳 'Batik Uncle' of Holland Village celebrates 100th birthday in style: https://str.sg/Fb35 🍗 In an act of boycott, Malaysia makes its own 'McDonald's': https://str.sg/tpeE 🚽 Man in China fired for taking frequent long toilet breaks, with one lasting 4 hours: https://str.sg/ydaY

Still haven't used up your expiring SkillsFuture credits? Here's what you can do with the $500 before the Dec 31 deadline: https://str.sg/LzHR

UPDATE: 3 people were killed and 5 injured when a knife-wielding attacker went on a ‍rampage ​in central Taipei. The man let off smoke bombs at a train station, then ran to another station, attacking people on the way. He ‍later died during a police chase. https://str.sg/MAPj

3 women who were senior management of a pre-school have been found guilty of covering up the sexual assault of a 2-year-old girl by a cook who worked there. One of them was the principal of the school at the time. https://str.sg/pAts

At least 9 ​people are injured after smoke bombs were released and bystanders attacked at 2 subway stations in Taipei. https://str.sg/MAPj

Singapore has a new political party - the Most Valuable Party. It is founded by restaurant owner Chia Yun Kai. https://str.sg/buXP

The police are investigating an incident that left a man injured near Tampines MRT station. https://str.sg/8bUg

💰☔️ (For subscribers) Young adults in Singapore are saving more than older folk, with some citing concerns about job security and loss of income. Those aged between 17 and 39 hold about 80% of their assets in savings and fixed deposits, UOB data found. In comparison, their older counterparts hold close to 70% of their assets in savings and fixed deposits. Here’s why: https://str.sg/McaK

Stay vigilant against scams ahead of the new Pokemon card set launch in January, say the police. Scammers may put up pre-order listings on online platforms such as Carousell and convince victims to make initial deposits. https://str.sg/E6Cv

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has issued a warning to WP chief Pritam Singh and Mediacorp for contempt of court over his comments on a CNA programme. https://str.sg/m4HL

🥇 SEA Games 2025: Singapore men’s water polo team has won gold after beating arch rivals Indonesia. It is the country’s 29th gold medal in 30 editions. https://str.sg/66rm

(For subscribers) The results for Singapore’s secondary school postings are out today. 📚 ST’s senior education correspondent Sandra Davie explains how the appeal process works: https://str.sg/fUTyr

A former pre-school teacher was sentenced to 10 months’ jail for ill-treating a 2-year-old girl in her class. Her offence came to light when the victim’s mother spotted a scratch on her daughter’s face. https://str.sg/myDL

The suspect in the mass shooting at Brown University last weekend has been found dead. US authorities are also investigating whether the same person killed an MIT professor 2 ​days after the rampage at Brown. https://str.sg/nRwv6

Fans of Central Cee, mark your calendars. The British rapper will be making his Singapore debut at Pasir Panjang Power Station on March 18, 2026. Details: https://str.sg/gdeU

Violence erupted in Bangladesh after a youth leader of the country’s 2024 pro-democracy uprising died in a hospital in Singapore. He had been airlifted here after he was shot during an assassination attempt in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. https://str.sg/f3xu