The Straits Times

Take note: It will cost 30 cents more to take a Grab ride from Jan 1, 2026. Passengers will pay $1.20, up from the current 90 cents. The new fee will only apply to transport rides, with other services remaining unchanged. https://str.sg/DQbu

South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster is taking legal action against competitor Blue Elephant for copying the design of its sunglasses. Gentle Monster claims that Blue Elephant replicated at least 30 products, selling them at 20% of the price. https://str.sg/fNMf

Former lawyer M. Ravi has been found dead in the early hours of Dec 24. ST understands that the police are investigating a case of unnatural death. https://str.sg/ebnF

⛈ News for your morning! Singapore 2026 outlook: What’s next for transport – and the top stories of 2025 READ: https://str.sg/wVAMG More jail time for man linked to case involving husbands who had their wives drugged and raped READ: https://str.sg/7rSs Asia Australian state passes tougher gun, anti-terror laws after Bondi Beach shooting READ: https://str.sg/q35C Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

Mayday lead vocalist Ashin lost his footing and fell off the stage while performing at a concert in Shanghai on Dec 22. He later reassured fans that he went to the hospital for a check-up and that “everything is okay.” https://str.sg/yrLn

✈️🇰🇷 Singaporeans can now skip immigration queues at South Korea airports. After completing a one-time registration at Incheon International Airport, travellers may use the e-gates immediately and at any airport in South Korea on subsequent visits. https://str.sg/enZL

I hope that no seniors will ever go through what I went through.

Mrs Malar Singam broke her jaw after an electric-bicycle rider knocked her down on a pavement at a mall. The 71-year-old, who had jaw reconstruction surgery after the incident, wants to raise awareness of road safety involving riders of PMDs. https://str.sg/bBzq

If you're heading to Orchard Road on Christmas Eve, be prepared for road closures and extra security measures. Certain entrances and exits at Orchard MRT station may be closed to regulate crowd flow if required, said the police. https://str.sg/u9od

🌧 News for your morning! Singapore Police appeal for information on missing man, 74, last seen in Bukit Panjang READ: https://str.sg/95nt Man dies after Woodlands eatery scuffle; suspect faces charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt READ: https://str.sg/f3if Asia Two Singaporeans arrested in JB after fighting in police station READ: https://str.sg/qqfN Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

KFC is adding 4 new sauces to their permanent menu from Jan 2. Spicy Mala Mania, umami Cheezy Onion, Penang curry-inspired White Curry Shiok! and smokey Shhh Secret Grill will cost 95 cents each. https://str.sg/treL

Broadway hit Beetlejuice The Musical has been cancelled less than a month before the shows are due to begin at the Esplanade Theatre. All ticket holders will receive a full refund. https://str.sg/G4qR

St Joseph's Church incident: 26-year-old Kokulananthan Mohan has been charged after he allegedly placed an item resembling an explosive device within the church premises. He is said to have done so with the intention of inducing another man to believe that the item was likely to explode. https://str.sg/K4Ay

WP chief Pritam Singh's court case has implications for party leaders Sylvia Lim and Faisal Manap and will be part of upcoming discussions in Parliament, said Leader of the House Indranee Rajah. All 3 WP MPs disputed the findings in the 2022 report by the Committee of Privileges that had looked into former MP Raeesah Khan's lies to the House, Ms Indranee said. https://str.sg/pmLV

🌤 News for your morning! Singapore Prime HDB flats still oversubscribed under new framework but demand eases with higher supply READ: https://str.sg/GhMb Patients with rarer types of diabetes can get up to 80% in subsidies for monitoring devices READ: https://str.sg/LqnQ 28-year-old man suspected to have drowned in waters off East Coast Park READ: https://str.sg/74ca Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

St Joseph's Church incident: A 26-year-old church volunteer is set to be charged with making a false threat of terrorist act. The man allegedly staged the incident by placing a self-fabricated item which resembled an improvised explosive device within the church premises. https://str.sg/fLru

St Joseph's Church incident: Parish priest says mass will resume on Dec 22 with the church closed for the rest of today. Police vehicles were also seen leaving the compound just after 5pm. https://str.sg/Ng8d

No rush, more care: Senior-friendly tours are catching on as Singapore’s seniors grow in number. Shorter daily itineraries, smaller groups and more toilet breaks and rest stops are some hallmarks of such tours. https://str.sg/GHDs

St Joseph Church incident: Police led away a handcuffed man to a white car after a suspicious item was found earlier this morning. The contents in the car boot are being examined. https://str.sg/uPRK

Higher CPF wage ceilings and contribution rates are on the horizon from Jan 1, 2026. Other changes to take note: https://str.sg/rAAvB

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