The Straits Times

Johor will implement a RM3 hotel tax for overnight visitors from Jan 1, 2026. It is unclear for now whether the $0.95 charge applies to each person per night. https://str.sg/FduK

The Singaporean owner of car leasing firm SRS Auto has been arrested amid a criminal probe that has seen the US government seize some $19.4 billion in bitcoins. The man, who is also the founder of local apparel company bYSI, shares the same address as a woman who is a director of Cars and Coffee Leasing, among others. https://str.sg/hu85

(For subscribers) A bank director in Singapore who earned over $88,000 a month had only around $13,000 in savings during his divorce. Here's how he spent his pay cheque in happier times: https://str.sg/hRn5

🍿 Good news, cinema fans. Golden Village will be opening its 17th outlet at Downtown East in Pasir Ris. It will be taking over the space vacated by Cathay Cineplexes. Details: https://str.sg/rmD3

Hang up the apron for good, or join the new vendor in a different role? As 13 schools transition to a centralised meal service from next January, some stallholder aunties and uncles are finding ways to stay on. Read their stories: https://str.sg/hvKd

The serial intruder who charged at Ariana Grande during the Wicked movie premiere at Universal Studios Singapore has been deported to Australia. He has also been barred from re-entering Singapore, said ICA. https://str.sg/ANGzj

Wealthy Singaporeans are snapping up bigger units in prime districts. They account for the bulk of purchases that cost $5 million or more. https://str.sg/boaK

Fugitive “kelong king” Wilson Raj, once described as the king of match fixing, has been sentenced to 11 years’ jail in Hungary for human trafficking. He fled Singapore in 2010 after he was found guilty of various offences, including assaulting an auxiliary police officer. https://str.sg/vzHF

A new electric train service that will cut travel time between JB and KL to 4.5 hours, from the current 7 hours, will start operations on Dec 12. https://str.sg/n729

Australia's airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar will ban the use of power banks on both international and domestic flights from December. https://str.sg/G9aY

A Singaporean suspect linked to a US insider trading probe has been identified as the son of former NKF CEO T.T. Durai. https://str.sg/BUqV

How did these abandoned cars end up in the forests of Bukit Brown? We take a closer look at this eerie vehicle graveyard and uncover the history behind it. https://str.sg/ooePX

Most food content creators say everything is good. How many times have we queued for something, tasted it, then cursed and swore?

When Mr Lucas Neo started a video series to give his raw take on 148 Michelin-listed hawkers, he did not expect his blunt comments to whip up a storm on social media. Despite the hate, the straight-talking insurance boss refuses to quit, though he renamed the series to sound less "aggressive". How he is dealing with the sudden fame: https://str.sg/eX29 #stheadstart

Education in Singapore has become a battleground for parents worried that their children may fall behind. Despite significant changes by the Government, the system has increasingly been described as an “arms race” by parents, students, educators, and politicians alike. https://str.sg/dYCV

This week's trending stories: 🐍 60kg python crashes through bathroom ceiling in Malaysia: https://str.sg/kBMs 👶🏻 'Could've been the worst day of our lives': S'pore couple recount near-death birth in Grab car: https://str.sg/G7Bt 🪳 Cockroach-ino, anyone? China museum serves roach-infused coffee at $8.20 a cup: https://str.sg/3nxCp

Some Kovan residents have expressed frustration after a real estate developer sealed off a back-lane shortcut with a gate, impacting their access to amenities. They have since sought help from their MP to investigate and seek government intervention. https://str.sg/KbKs

😢 One of the 3 dogs that were trapped at a Seletar West farm by an AVS contractor has died. It was handed over to an animal welfare group for rehoming but died of cardiac arrest while at the vet. https://str.sg/928S

185 people across 6 E-Bridge pre-schools have developed gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food supplied by Middleton International School. The authorities are investigating. https://str.sg/4wBzF

SBS Transit says it will take disciplinary action against one of its employees, who was captured on video yelling at a senior who jumped queue at a bus stop. https://str.sg/r467

Japan's tourism industry is taking a hit as would-be travellers from China cancel their trips because of a worsening diplomatic spat. Some are choosing to visit Singapore and South Korea instead. https://str.sg/Epuu Chinese cruise operators are now scrambling to avoid Japanese ports: https://str.sg/eZ4z China is also scrapping concerts with Japanese musicians: https://str.sg/fwfx