The Straits Times

🚄 Here’s a first look at Malaysia’s electric train service linking Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, ahead of its official launch tomorrow. The long-awaited ETS will cut travel time between JB and KL to around 4.5 hours. https://str.sg/k72X

The US is planning to ask visitors from countries that do not require a visa – including Singapore, Australia, Japan and Britain – to provide 5 years of social media history before entry. https://str.sg/MVxX US President Donald Trump also just launched his US$1 million "Trump Gold Card" visa program for foreigners to get expedited permission to live there. https://str.sg/eaBH

⛈️ News for your morning! Singapore Law Society members strike compromise over election of new president READ: https://str.sg/8YWY Singapore and China armies holding bilateral exercise at Safti City for first time READ: https://str.sg/isia Former Cathay cinema operator mm2 gets lifeline after High Court shields it from creditors for 4 months READ: https://str.sg/imrt World ‘Shopaholic’ author Sophie Kinsella dies at 55 READ: https://str.sg/nBWY Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

The US Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates again to the lowest level in around 3 years. It cut the rate by a quarter percentage point and sees just 1 more reduction next year. https://str.sg/vcv8

SEA Games 2025: Swimmer Mikkel Lee won Singapore's first gold in swimming at the men’s 100m freestyle, clocking a new personal best of 48.65sec. https://str.sg/x4U6E

Founder of retailer FJ Benjamin, Frank Benjamin, has died aged 90. Brands under the group include the Guess, Marc Jacobs, La Senza and Superdry. https://str.sg/wAWec

Parents of kids aged 7 to 12, we’d love to hear how we can help you in your parenting journey. 👦📚 Share your thoughts with ST editor Jaime Ho and senior education correspondent Sandra Davie this Friday at Conversations with The Straits Times. Register for free now: https://str.sg/signupconvo6

Convicted child sex offender Amos Yee has been listed among the “worst of the worst criminal aliens” on a new US government website. The 27-year-old is the only Singaporean in the database. https://str.sg/5wU4

🥇 SEA Games 2025: Taekwondo pair Diyanah Aqidah and Nicholas Khaw have won Singapore’s first gold medals in Thailand. https://str.sg/hZRd

🎤 She went from posting Conan Gray covers on social media to writing songs for K-pop acts Itzy and Twice. At just 25, Ms Daina Ariffin is living her dream. Taking the unconventional path, she quit her marketing job this year to pursue freelance songwriting full-time. How she got her big break: https://str.sg/wVEBq #stheadstart

Cambodia has withdrawn from the ongoing SEA Games in Thailand, citing serious safety concerns and urgent pleas from athletes’ families for their return. https://str.sg/ihBs

Apple Fitness+ will launch in Singapore on Monday, Dec 15. 💪 The $9.98 per month subscription service gives users guided videos on workouts like yoga, pilates and kickboxing, along with their health metrics. https://str.sg/7SKH

Child abuse cases in Singapore rose in 2024, with primary school kids making up the largest group of children abused by a loved one. https://str.sg/BwJP There were also more cases of spousal and senior abuse reported last year, driven by greater awareness of such abuse and the support available. https://str.sg/GMxW

Singaporeans are advised to defer all travel to the conflict areas in the Thai-Cambodian border regions, said the MFA. Those in or travelling to Cambodia and Thailand are strongly encouraged to register with the ministry online. https://str.sg/FaFK

⛈ News for your morning! Singapore Police warn of scams involving investment apps selling fraudulent investment products READ: https://str.sg/wpsgH Animal Lovers League charity status under probe READ: https://str.sg/JNiTU Sport SEA Games 2025: Sombre but smiling, Thailand says Sawadee with opening show READ: https://str.sg/FU4n Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

🇦🇺 Australia is now the first country in the world to ban social media for under-16s. The new law, which kicked in at midnight local time on Dec 10, will block children from accessing platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. https://str.sg/nYea

The man who charged at Ariana Grande during the Wicked premiere in Singapore was kicked out of a Lady Gaga concert in Brisbane, Australia. https://str.sg/wFb3w

Travelling to Japan? Local authorities warn that there's a possibility of a powerful quake hitting again within the week. What to know if you have a trip planned: https://str.sg/eMTw

20 people have died after a fire at a 7-storey building in Jakarta. A video online shows people on the roof of the Terra Drone Indonesia's office as smoke billows. https://str.sg/xo2j

🎤 Taiwanese singer Eric Chou will be performing at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on April 11 and 12 as part of his new world tour. https://str.sg/bnHb