NewsLite

The Singaporean community in Hong Kong has raised HK$1.8 million (S$304,000) for the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that broke out on Nov 26.

In a joint statement by the Singapore Consulate-General in Hong Kong, the Singapore Association Hong Kong, the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong), and the Singapore International School (Hong Kong) on Wednesday (Dec 17), the group said that the funds were raised through a donation drive.

"The Hong Kong people have proven time and time again that their 'Lion Rock Spirit' and resilience will always shine through in the face of adversity. During this difficult time, the Singapore community in Hong Kong stands together with Hong Kong and its people," the statement read.

The "Lion Rock Spirit" is a term used by Hongkongers for their determination, especially when against the odds.

If you've ever purchased pickleball paddles from A Little Ripple, you'd be surprised to learn that the person handling your order is a 13-year-old girl.

Meet Eleora Liang, the very definition of a girl boss.

While keeping up with schoolwork like other students her age, this Singaporean also manages inventory, answers customers' queries, and updates her business website.

Homeschooled from a young age, Eleora was encouraged by her mum to explore a variety of life skills. Beyond running A Little Ripple, she also learned how to code, crochet, cook, and even play the violin.

The police have, on Wednesday (Dec 17), charged three key executives of online trading platform Samtrade FX for allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices and money laundering.

In a news release on Dec 17, the police said that the three men — Goh Nai De, Goh Li Xiang and Yue Jingyuan Alfred — conspired to make 11 "Ultimate Trader" accounts appear profitable — by fraudulently tilting the trades in these accounts.

These accounts were then offered in Samtrade FX's "copy trading" product where clients could choose to "copy" the trades executed in the said accounts.

This led to the vast majority of Samtrade FX's clients copying the allegedly rigged "Ultimate Trading" accounts, which the police said were under Yue's control.

PARIS — The brother and lawyer of Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi said on Tuesday (Dec 16) they have no information on her whereabouts or health, four days after her arrest.

Mohammadi was arrested on Friday after denouncing the suspicious death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi during his memorial ceremony in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

"We have very little information about her health and we are very worried about how she's being held, where she's being held, and how she's treated," Hamid Mohammadi told reporters. He spoke after another brother in Iran, who cannot be named for security reasons, briefly spoke to her Monday night.

Mashhad prosecutor Hasan Hematifar said Saturday that Mohammadi and Alikordi's brother made provocative remarks at the memorial, encouraging "norm-breaking slogans" and "disturbing the peace."

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today.

1. Singapore police step up patrols in certain areas following Bondi Beach shooting

The police have stepped up patrols in some areas in Singapore, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), following the Bondi Beach shooting on Sunday (Dec 14)... » READ MORE

2. Sisters behind this restaurant chain want diners to 'taste Ipoh' without having to leave Singapore

A trip to the police station ended in an unexpected arrest for a Malaysian man on Tuesday (Dec 16) when officers realised that he was wanted for drug-related offences.

The 36-year-old man had gone to the police station in Pantai, Kuala Lumpur at around 2.20pm that day to report a lost identification card, according to Brickfields district police chief Hoo Chang Hook.

"The suspect came to the complaints counter to report a lost identity card," he said, according to Harian Metro.

Checks by attending officers found that he was wanted for his alleged connection to a drug case, which prompted him to flee the scene to avoid arrest.

BRUSSELS — Europe must be responsible for its own security, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday (Dec 17).

"This is no longer an option. It is a must," she told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

She added that Europe "cannot afford to let others define its worldview," adding that while the US national security strategy is right to say that Europe's share of global GDP is declining, the United States is on "the same path."

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PARIS — Paris' Louvre, the world's most-visited museum, remained closed at 0800 GMT on Wednesday (4pm Singapore time), as its staff continued discussions on whether to extend a strike over pay and working conditions that started on Monday.

The strike comes after a spectacular jewel heist in October, as well as recent infrastructure problems, including a water leak that damaged ancient books, which have exposed glaring security gaps and revealed the museum's deteriorating state.

Unions have said that staff at the Louvre are overworked and mismanaged, and they are calling for more hiring, pay increases and a redirection of spending.

Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who has faced intense criticism since burglars in October made off with crown jewels worth 88 million euros (S$133.24 million), is due to answer questions from the French Senate on Wednesday afternoon.

Steven Spielberg's new film Disclosure Day will be released in the summer.

The iconic filmmaker is returning with a new sci-fi epic, which marks his first movie since 2022's Fabelmans and will star the likes of Josh O'Connor, Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell and Eve Hewson.

The logline for the new film reads: "If you found out we weren't alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?

"This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to… Disclosure Day."

As the year comes to a close in the final Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding exercise of 2025, premiums have risen once again for Category A and C vehicles.

Cat A premiums are now $109,501 - a number last seen in the second November bidding exercise. Cat C premiums, for goods vehicles and buses, also rose by $502 to finish at $77,003 this time.

But there's good news for those who have their eyes on a Cat B vehicle - hybrid cars with an engine capacity above 1,600cc - premiums have decreased to $115,102 this round, a significant dip of 7.1 per cent from the last round.

Cat D and Cat E also saw another dip. Cat D premiums for motorcycles saw a decrease of $208 to close at $8,081, while open category E dipped $4,000 for a final bid of $119,000 in this exercise.