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  Greg Austin Lynn, a 54-year-old American, has been fined S$5,500 for a racially charged incident at Shashlik Restaurant in Far East Shopping Centre, Singapore. Lynn pleaded guilty to using criminal force and abusive language in the altercation with restaurant manager Tan Tong Kein. The incident, which occurred on June 18, 2023, involved Lynn pushing Mr. Tan and verbally assaulting him with threats and racially charged language. Lynn apologized in court, expressing cultural misunderstandings, and offered restitution of S$3,000 to the restaurant. The judge imposed the fine, emphasizing Lynn's remorse but rejecting probation. Link to the altercation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktLk2Lk9X-w&t=1s

  Quek Eng Hock, aged 65, is facing murder charges for the death of a 43-year-old woman in Bukit Batok. The incident occurred on Saturday, prompting police to respond to a call at a flat on Bukit Batok West Avenue 9. The victim, whose identity is protected by a gag order, was found motionless inside the flat, while her five-year-old son was taken to the hospital. Quek was arrested at the scene, and a knife believed to be involved was seized. The accused is scheduled to appear in court on Jan 26, with the murder charge carrying the potential for the death penalty. Rest in Peace to the victim.

  According to SP Group and City Energy, Singapore households are set to experience a 4.1% increase in electricity tariffs and a 3.3% rise in gas tariffs for the first quarter of 2024. The electricity tariff will rise from 28.70 to 29.89 cents per kWh, while gas tariffs will increase from 22.42 to 23.15 cents per kWh. After accounting for the 9 percent GST  that will kick in from Jan 1, the tariff will be 32.58 cents per kWh. This marks the third consecutive quarterly tariff hike, attributed to higher energy costs. Eligible households will receive enhanced U-Save rebates to alleviate the impact, with an additional SGD 20 per quarter from January 2024 to December 2025, providing extra support for cost-of-living relief.

  In a joint effort by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), 177 individuals were discovered in possession of electronic vaporisers during a four-day operation at Changi Airport in December 2023. Of these, 61 faced fines, while 116 passengers declared and disposed of their e-vaporisers to avoid penalties. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to curb vaping in Singapore, with heightened enforcement efforts at borders and increased checks at land and sea checkpoints in the coming months. The crackdown includes strengthened enforcement in schools and higher learning institutes, as well as measures against online sales and advertisements of e-vaporisers. In December alone, 1,656 e-vaporiser-related cases were detected.

  On January 2, 2024, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) apprehended two men for suspected drug trafficking offenses. The arrests, carried out in Jurong West Street 52, resulted in the seizure of 1,427g of 'Ice,' 193g of heroin, 211 Erimin-5 tablets, 94 'Ecstasy' tablets, and one bottle of methadone, collectively valued at over $470,000. The CNB officers faced resistance during the arrest of a 53-year-old Singaporean man, who was found with 1,396g of 'Ice,' 96g of heroin, and other substances. Another operation led to the arrest of a 62-year-old Singaporean man, seizing 97g of heroin and 31g of 'Ice.' Both suspects are being investigated under the Misuse of Drugs Act, with potential severe penalties if found guilty of trafficking offenses. Investigations into their drug activities are ongoing.

  *Picture for illustration purposes. Singaporean police have apprehended a 30-year-old man in connection with an assault that transpired due to a staring incident on New Year's Day. The altercation occurred at 181 Orchard Road, resulting in the suspect assaulting an 18-year-old man and subsequently attacking 4 other men and a 27-year-old woman, who might intervened in the fight. The suspect fled before police arrival but was identified through ground inquiries and cameras. The victims aged 18 to 30, were treated at Singapore General Hospital and later discharged. The man faces charges of voluntarily causing hurt by a dangerous weapon, carrying potential penalties of up to seven years imprisonment, fines, caning, or a combination thereof.

  A Tokyo-Sapporo flight ended in a runway collision at Haneda Airport, involving Japan Airlines' Airbus A350 and a smaller Coast Guard plane. The A350 burst into flames, but all 379 passengers and crew miraculously escaped. The collision occurred upon landing, and while authorities investigate, aviation experts find the circumstances highly unusual. Evacuation procedures were hailed as effective, with passengers swiftly exiting within 20 minutes, avoiding potential catastrophe. All 5 passengers on the Coast Guard plane that collided with the commercial plane died. The incident raises questions about runway safety, despite significant industry improvements in collision prevention.

*Picture for illustration purposes! In Singapore, a tragic incident happens at a hawker centre in Bedok South.  Ang Ah Lak, 56, was sentenced to 25 months and 12 weeks in jail after a dispute escalated, leading to the death of a 69-year-old man.  Ang struck the elderly man with metal tongs and pushed him causing him to fall during the altercation, causing head injuries that proved fatal.  The court heard multiple instances of Ang using abusive language towards public servants and was  involved in prior incidents of public harassment, Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia, the condition was not considered a contributory factor in the offense.

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Japan on New Year's Day, resulting in at least 30 deaths. The quake triggered tsunami waves, causing widespread damage to buildings, roads, and power infrastructure. Rescue efforts are underway in the Noto peninsula, with rescue teams facing challenges due to blocked roads. Many transportation services are suspended, and Noto airport is closed. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described the search and rescue as a "battle against time." The quake comes amid concerns for Japan's nuclear industry, although nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan reported no irregularities. Let us pray for Japan.

  Lee Jae-myung, leader of the South Korean opposition party, was attacked on Tuesday while engaging with reporters in Busan. Surveillance footage captured the moment a man lunged at him, stabbing him in the neck after visiting a new airport site. Lee, 59, collapsed as onlookers rushed to assist, and he was later transported to the hospital. The assailant, who sought an autograph before the attack, was subdued by police. Lee, Chief of the Democratic Party, lost the 2022 presidential race and is anticipated to run in 2027, despite facing scandals and an ongoing trial on bribery charges.