TOP OF THE NEWS
No joint declaration was signed yesterday at the conclusion of an Asean defence forum in Kuala Lumpur, as defence ministers failed to reach consensus on whether the South China Sea dispute should be mentioned in the document. Malaysia stressed that the Sino-US rivalry in the region was not a hindrance to Asean.
TOP OF THE NEWS
The airports in Bali and Lombok remained closed yesterday as an ash cloud from an erupting volcano made conditions unsuitable for flying, said the Indonesian authorities.
WORLD
'Bullet-planting' racket at Manila airport
An extortion scam has turned the spotlight on Manila's airport. Passengers have reported being forced to pay security staff in exchange for freedom after the officials uncovered ammunition and shell casings planted in the passengers' carry-on bags. The United Nations has urged its employees travelling to the Philippines to stay alert to the racket.
WORLD
Indonesia is planning to further open its economy to foreign investors by inviting them to build and operate special economic zones inside the country, in the hope of fuelling sluggish economic and jobs growth. Foreign nationals would be eligible for income tax discounts of 20 to 100 per cent, an official said.
OPINION
Charities have been slow to disclose key information on how they are governed. They need to buck up, writes Priscilla Goy, as good governance is the only way to ensure they can sustain operations for the long term. Donors should insist on transparency before they pledge funds.
HOME
Home-grown clothing brand M)phosis has shut its stores here and in the region. The 20-year-old brand once had 30 stores at its peak but cited "severe cash flow" as its reason for folding. Only its stores in China are still open.
HOME
A new app can help customers buying furniture to see how the piece will look in their homes. The home-grown app has secured a contract with a furniture company and is one of 60 infocomm technology-based solutions for the retail industry now on show at the Media Exploits event at the Biopolis.
BUSINESS
CapitaLand which was in exclusive talks to buy Asia Square Tower 1 says it is no longer in negotiations. Seller BlackRock has said,however, that negotiations with other potential buyers are continuing.
SPORT
Australian jockey Tim Bell, 22, died after falling from the balcony of his apartment in Singapore, in the second tragedy to hit the horse racing community in 18 months.
It is believed that he had locked himself out and was trying to retrieve his keys. Last year, another Australian jockey, Nathan Berry, died of Norse syndrome.
LIFE
Wife reveals Williams' illness
In new interviews, the widow of actor Robin Williams laid the blame for her husband's suicide on diffuse Lewy body dementia, which is frequently confused with Parkinson's because of their overlapping symptoms. The actor committed suicide on Aug 11 last year at age 63.
LIFE
At an event in Taipei yesterday to publicise her hand cream, Hong Kong actress Rosamund Kwan said she and her husband, Taiwanese billionaire Pierre Chen, are divorcing. The couple had been together for about eight years and, according to sources cited by Apple Daily, quietly tied the knot overseas early last year.
