Indonesia has defended its gas export cuts amid concerns raised by Singapore, saying existing contracts have not been breached and it would not be lectured on honouring contracts. https://str.sg/L8dR

All 10 Singapore-based companies that were issued notices under the Republic’s haze law have acknowledged NEA's requests for information on their links to fires in Indonesia.

3 of them did not explicitly say they would cooperate with the agency’s request, which carries penalties for the representatives of non-compliant firms. https://str.sg/JuSck

Nouvelle Chua Ruoshi, a friend of the couple who fatally abused 4-year-old Megan Khung, pleaded guilty to charges related to the abuse on Oct 26.

Besides taking videos of the girl's abuse and helping to dispose of her body, here's how the 36-year-old, who is a mother herself, contributed to the girl’s misery: https://str.sg/7Ruy

📚 Looking to dive back into analogue habits and detox from digital media?

Join us for a new series of talks organised by The Straits Times and the National Library Board, where you can get reading recommendations and other tips on various topics. Sign up: https://str.sg/xLra

Haze update: The air quality in Singapore has remained healthy overnight, with the hourly PM2.5 readings remaining in the normal range and the 24-hour PSI in the good-to-moderate band across the island. https://str.sg/7iFY

⛈ News for your morning!

Singapore
Man arrested at Tuas Checkpoint for trying to smuggle over 2kg of drugs on a motorcycle
READ: https://str.sg/8vCd

3 taken to hospital after 7-vehicle crash at Jurong East
READ: https://str.sg/Z2ZmW

Arla protein pudding recalled due to potential presence of glass fragments
READ: https://str.sg/uMnX

Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

⚽️ Harry Kane has won the Ballon d’Or, football’s highest individual honour.

Kane is the first Englishman to win the prestigious award in 25 years. https://str.sg/L3At

Singapore plans to tighten its transboundary haze law amid challenges in gathering evidence and securing cooperation, says Minister Grace Fu. https://str.sg/bo9uy

What does it take to hunt down illegal health product peddlers?

For Tan Lee Lian, it means clocking 20,000 steps a day, searching rubbish bins in back alleys and training in combat sports as the only woman on her HSA team.

Read how she does it in our series, On The Job: https://str.sg/npzN

Follow Headstart's Instagram account: https://str.sg/kjWc

#stheadstart

NUH will stop issuing plastic bags at its pharmacies from November as part of its sustainability efforts.

The hospital encouraged those who are visiting its pharmacies to bring a reusable bag when collecting their medication. https://str.sg/GBzo

Singapore and Indonesia are looking to establish a joint task force to hold companies accountable for forest fires. https://str.sg/pd6Y

10 of Singapore’s 57 car brands registered fewer than one car a month on average in the first 9 months of 2026.

At the other end of the spectrum, just 4 brands – BYD, Toyota, Tesla and Mercedes-Benz – accounted for more than half of all new cars on the road. https://str.sg/fFR2

CDA and SFA are investigating 2 incidents of gastroenteritis reported at 2 MOE kindergartens, after 53 people developed symptoms following the consumption of food supplied by Deli Hub Catering.

SFA has suspended the caterer's food business operations with effect from Oct 27 until further notice. https://str.sg/dMjZ

Haze update: Singapore's air quality continues to improve with the hourly PM2.5 readings in the normal range at 7am, and the 24-hour PSI staying in the good to moderate band across the island. https://str.sg/FBbMF

⛈ News for your morning!

World
Israel election: Exit polls show deadlock, setback for Netanyahu
READ: https://str.sg/bmYc

Singapore
Nuclear consultants, law firms appointed by EMA to prepare S'pore for 2027 mission by UN watchdog
READ: https://str.sg/qPAp

First narrated changing of guard ceremony part of Istana Open House for Deepavali
READ: https://str.sg/xuzY

Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

Meta's Muse, a personal AI agent that can manage tasks such as booking reservations and monitoring prices, is now available in Singapore.

But experts are warning users of security and privacy risks: https://str.sg/pWGi

Israel's election saw its highest voter turnout in over 2 decades, with exit polls showing Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-military chief Gadi Eisenkot running neck and neck in the race to become prime minister. https://str.sg/bmYc

Football star Kylian Mbappe has apologised for comments he made about Mao Zedong after major Chinese brands dropped him.

China's CCTV has reportedly suspended all broadcasts of La Liga matches and ads involving Mbappe. https://str.sg/k2U2

All MOE kindergartens will offer full-day services, from 7am to 7pm, by 2030. The new model will be piloted at 2 centres in 2027. https://str.sg/Jus35

Tampines is Singapore's most populous planning area, with 296,060 residents as at June 2026.

Punggol and Sengkang are 2 of the fastest-growing neighbourhoods. https://str.sg/LVkd