💵 Man fined for carrying over $90k in undeclared cash cheques into Singapore; 70 others caught for tax, GST evasion

More than 70 travellers were caught for various offences — including failing to declare large amounts of cash and evading taxes on cigarettes and liquor — in a week-long, multi-agency enforcement operation conducted across Singapore's land, air and sea checkpoints.

READ: https://asia1.news/45qOyFb

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🇹🇭 Surging in polls, Thailand's reformist opposition tests new election playbook

Thailand’s reformist People’s Party is leading opinion polls ahead of the Feb 8 election, testing a new strategy that tones down controversial stances and highlights detailed policy plans and technocratic talent, though legal risks and conservative opposition could still block its path to power.

READ: https://asia1.news/4sHY4Oa

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✈️ Skyscanner reveals cheapest travel destinations for 2026 with new holiday planner

January is the peak holiday planning season, with 57 per cent of Singapore travellers mapping out their year ahead during this period, noted Skyscanner travel trends and destinations expert Cyndi Hui.

READ: https://asia1.news/4qwLAHz

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Police appeal for information on missing 17-year-old male teenager last seen in Bukit Panjang

In a news release on Thursday (Jan 22), the police said Poon was last seen on Jan 21 at around 8pm in the vicinity of Block 505A Jelapang Road.

READ: https://asia1.news/3NEsKQk

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🤭 Netizens amused by Tony Leung and his introverted nature at Paris Fashion Week

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung was at Paris Fashion Week with his actress wife Carina Lau on Jan 21, and netizens are amused at his visible introverted nature.

READ: https://asia1.news/4sMBKTz

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🚧 Construction firm illegally houses migrant workers in Paya Lebar warehouse; MOM investigating

A construction firm allegedly allowed its workers to live on its premises without authorisation, and continued to house them even after the building management ordered it to stop.

READ: https://asia1.news/4qFCBEm

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🤖 1 in 10 Singapore residents turn to AI chatbots for companionship: IPS survey

Titled Fraternity and the Social Fabric in the Digital Age, the study investigates friendships and digitally mediated interactions in Singapore, and also explores how AI chatbots can provide emotional support and companionship.

READ: https://asia1.news/4r6gK8K

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💼 Jobs a 'central priority' for governments in emerging markets: President Tharman

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam suggested rethinking about jobs creation from both an upstream and downstream approach. He was speaking at a World Economic Forum session on Wednesday (Jan 21), which discussed the potential shortfall of about 800 million jobs for the 1.2 billion young people coming of age in emerging markets over the next 12 to 15 years.

READ: https://asia1.news/4pVaRKL

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💵 Cha Eun-woo allegedly involved in tax evasion amounting to $17 million

South Korean media reported today (Jan 22) that the 28-year-old singer-actor, who is a member of K-pop boy group Astro, is allegedly involved in improper tax practices through a paper company established by his mother.

READ: https://asia1.news/4sSkpbP

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🚘 COE quota to drop by 1% for February to April period

The total number of COEs will fall slightly to 18,824, down from 18,894 from November 2025 to January 2026 period, which saw a 1.5 per cent increase.

READ: https://asia1.news/3ZpF0qt

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😮 LTA identifies glitch in bus arrival time system, to be restored in about 4 days

Restoration works on the Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) system for buses would take about four days to complete. Bus services will continue to operate as scheduled during this period.

READ: https://asia1.news/45YQipp

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👏 SIA best airline, 24th on list of Fortune's most admired companies in the world

Singapore Airlines topped the aviation sector and ranked 24th overall on Fortune’s 2026 list of the world’s most admired companies, making it the only Singapore-based firm in the top 50 and one of just two Asian companies in the top 25.

READ: https://asia1.news/4qZYs94

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😮 New trade map takes shape in Davos as world adjusts to Trump tariffs

Global leaders at Davos signalled a shift towards new trade alliances as countries move to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on the US amid renewed tariff uncertainty under President Donald Trump.

READ: https://asia1.news/4pQ0eIY

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🇨🇳 China's rural banks struggle to sell seized properties despite hefty discounts

China’s rural banks are struggling to sell foreclosed homes even at steep discounts, highlighting deepening stress from the prolonged property downturn and rising bad loans in the financial system.

READ: https://asia1.news/4q32EnS

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🥳 Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara become parents to daughter through surrogacy

Meghan Trainor and husband Daryl Sabara welcomed their first daughter, Mikey Moon, via surrogacy, sharing that the experience was the safest way for them to grow their family and expressing gratitude to everyone who supported the journey.

READ: https://asia1.news/49F30dS

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☀️ Good morning! Here are some stories you might have missed yesterday:

🇳🇿 New Zealand rescuers sift rubble for landslide survivors https://asia1.news/49Cpbmk

🤔 Number of jailed journalists fell from record high in 2025, CPJ report says https://asia1.news/4pOwvjz

🇺🇸 Trump reversal on Greenland followed push by aides against military option, sources say https://asia1.news/3YTjXfO

🚆 Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link: Bukit Chagar station takes shape following completion of structural work

The Malaysian Rapid Transit Corp said that the progress brings the RTS Link project "another step closer" towards targeted passenger service by 2027. Separately, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said at an event on Jan 15 that the first train is scheduled to run on Jan 1, 2027.

READ: https://asia1.news/4ad7M2T

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🕊️ 'You only watched quietly': Malaysian woman leaves letter alleging abuse by dad and stepmother before dying of cancer

Wang Qiuyue's letter was uploaded to Facebook on Wednesday (Jan 21) "according to her last wishes", said her sister.

READ: https://asia1.news/45M7P4j

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😨 Man, 30, charged for allegedly trafficking almost 2,000 Kpods into Singapore

Muhamad Khairuddin Bin Abdullah, 30, had attempted to smuggle the Kpods into Singapore at Woodlands Checkpoint on the night of Jan 20. He was travelling with his 63-year-old mother and four-month-old niece in a rental car.

READ: https://asia1.news/3LI280k

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⛽ Malaysian MP suggests two-year entry ban for foreign vehicles caught abusing Ron95 fuel subsidy

The suggestion was raised by Malaysia's member of parliament for Tebrau, Jimmy Puah, during a parliamentary session on Wednesday (Jan 21).

READ: https://asia1.news/3M1sVEV

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🇺🇸 Trump launches Board of Peace that some fear rivals UN

"Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations," Trump said.

READ: https://asia1.news/4bfWP2E

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