What's News: March 22, 2016

NUS has been the region's top performing university since Quacquarelli Symonds introduced rankings by subjects in 2011.
NUS has been the region's top performing university since Quacquarelli Symonds introduced rankings by subjects in 2011. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Hot and dry weather in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday, with temperatures hovering close to the 39 deg C mark.
Hot and dry weather in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday, with temperatures hovering close to the 39 deg C mark. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

TOP OF THE NEWS

Indonesia-China tensions rise

Tensions flared between Indonesia and China following an incident involving a Chinese vessel allegedly fishing illegally near disputed waters in the South China Sea. Jakarta said a Chinese coast guard vessel breached its sovereign rights when it stopped the local authorities from detaining the fishing boat near the Natunas at the weekend.


TOP OF THE NEWS

Non-telco phone sales up

One third of all smartphones were sold last year by retailers instead of telcos offering subsidies along with a subscription.

As more people opt not to be tied down to a contract in exchange for a cheaper phone, telcos are offering more attractive line-only subscriptions.


WORLD

Schools shut amid heatwave

Malaysia has for the first time ordered schools to close owing to extremely hot weather, which hit 39 deg C over the past week. Schools in the northern states of Kedah and Perlis are to close today and tomorrow owing to the parched conditions brought about by the El Nino phenomenon.


WORLD

N. Korea fires more missiles

North Korea yesterday fired five short-range missiles into the sea off its eastern coast in its latest protest against international pressure, barely an hour before officials from Seoul and Washington began discussions on new United Nations sanctions. Seoul said it is preparing for "all possibilities", including a fifth nuclear test by Pyongyang.


OPINION

US' changing world view

America's view of its place in the world is changing. No matter who becomes the next president, Hugh White predicts a shift towards a US that is much less engaged globally, and that means in Asia too.


HOME

NUS ranked Asia's best-performing varsity again

The National University of Singapore has once again been ranked tops in Asia by London-based education consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds. The university was ranked No. 1 in 25 subjects across the region, four more than last year.


HOME

Poor nutrition 'hurts fertility'

What a young girl eats can affect her chances of having children later. Recommendations published by the Britain-based International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics last October stress the importance of good nutrition during adolescence.


BUSINESS

Linc Energy stock plunges

Local investors are licking their wounds after the share price of an Australian energy firm listed here plunged in the wake of the oil price collapse and its own debt burden. Linc Energy stock has nosedived 79 per cent this year and is down 96.7 per cent from a year ago.


SPORT

Sunwolves seek maiden win

The debutant Super Rugby side Sunwolves are under no illusions about the enormity of their task. Still, after three defeats, the Japanese team are eager to nail down their maiden win to boost morale. But they face an uphill task against three-time champions Bulls in the second of their three home games at the Sports Hub.


ST PHOTO: TAMARA CRAIU

LIFE

Chinese puppetry showcase

Theatre troupe The Finger Players taps its roots and looks to the future with a triple bill of productions next month. The Collectors features experts in traditional Chinese puppetry, while Inheritance and The Truth About Lying: Heresy And Common Sense For The Theatre are created by talents from its programmes to mentor playwrights and directors.


LIFE

Nicky Wu weds co-star

At a Bali wedding that fans hailed as the "best special episode", Scarlet Heart star Nicky Wu choked back tears as he declared his love to his co-star, Liu Shishi, by the sea. The ceremony at the Ayana Resort And Spa on Sunday was officiated by actor Damian Lau, who played Wu's emperor father in the TV hit.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 22, 2016, with the headline What's News: March 22, 2016. Subscribe