The news in 5 minutes

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Greek fears hit Asian markets

THE deepening Greek debt crisis sent stock markets tumbling across Asia yesterday as a crucial debt repayment deadline looms today. Fears are growing that Greece could face an exit from the euro zone if it defaults on a payment to the International Monetary Fund.

Teen put on Restriction Order

A SINGAPOREAN teen, 17, who was arrested last month, has been placed on a Restriction Order under the Internal Security Act. The Home Affairs Ministry said he wanted to engage in armed violence alongside ISIS.


WORLD

1MDB cuts part of debt

A SENIOR Malaysian official said yesterday that 1MDB, the troubled state investment fund, had erased over a third of its US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion) debt, thanks to an Abu Dhabi-based company. 1MDB is expected to clear all its debts by the beginning of next year, the official added.

Support for dress code

WEARING a skirt while entering a Malaysian government building is "too provocative", a Muslim leader said, as he weighed in on a heated debate about dress code in the Muslim-dominated country. Critics, meanwhile, voiced concerns about the rising conservatism.


Great Wall shrinking

PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

CHINA'S Great Wall is becoming less great in length as a report indicates that about 30 per cent of the centuries-old construction has disappeared, as a consequence of natural conditions and vandalism. More than 1,900km of the Unesco World Heritage site has eroded, said the report.


ISIS' antiquities trade

THE Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants see no historic values, but lucrative business, in the antiquities unearthed in their conquered areas. The digital age has helped them buid up a network that allows them to amass fortunes by selling the antiques to global buyers.


OPINION

A Greek lesson for Europe

The Greek crisis is symptomatic of fundamental differences between a European economic system based on principles of fiscal prudence, and the belief that a nation can enjoy unsustainable standards of living on the basis of debt whose repayment can be deferred politically.

Japan-South Korea ties

TIES between Japan and South Korea are warming up as they mark 50 years of the normalisation of diplomatic relations, redoubling efforts to resolve the comfort women issue, says Professor Narushige Michishita. But ties remain cool due to economic rivalry and historical differences.


SINGAPORE

Alexandra Hospital shut

Alexandra Hospital will re-open in the third quarter of this year. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

ALEXANDRA Hospital closed yesterday to undergo renovations, with its remaining patients transferred to the new Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in Jurong. It will re-open to take in patients in the third quarter this year.

12 wins in a row

THE elite 1st Commando Battalion has won the Singapore Armed Forces' Best Combat Unit Award again this year, making it 12 wins in a row. It has won a total of 29 times since the competition started in 1969.

More walking space

SHOPPERS headed to Pedestrian Night this Saturday will find more space for walking around.

Previous events, in which part of Orchard Road is closed to traffic, had allocated more space to mass activities. But this will now be reduced so walkers do not have to jostle as much.


MONEY

Smart $225m initiative

A $225 MILLION initiative to help financial firms set up innovation labs and to fund infrastructure to deliver financial technology services was announced yesterday. The scheme is one of several aimed at establishing Singapore as a smart financial centre.


SPORT

Watch out, Bolt

This year's fastest man Justin Gatlin is leading the US challenge against the Jamaicans. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

JAMAICAN sprint kings Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake have swept all the 100m world championships titles since 2007.

But the Americans are ready to launch a comeback, with the year's fastest man Justin Gatlin leading the trio of former world champion Tyson Gay, promising teen Trayvon Bromell and veteran Mike Rodgers - all in roaring-hot form.


LIFE!

Celebrating local food

RELIVE the old days of Ellenborough Market and its Teochew fare at the 22nd edition of the Singapore Food Festival from July 17 to Aug 2. The festival will also turn the spotlight on Old Airport Road Food Centre, one of Singapore's oldest centres. And look out for modern twists on local cuisine.


Tepid Ted 2

PHOTO: UIP

TED 2, director Seth MacFarlane's sequel to his hit comedy about a foul-mouthed teddy bear come to life, had an underwhelming US$32.9 million (S$45 million) debut, roughly 50 per cent less than expected. Many had predicted Ted 2 would be the summer's biggest comedy.


STRAITS TIMES DIGITAL

Wimbledon's Big Four hold court

PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

CENTRE court action is back at Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world. Serbia's Novak Djokovic (above) will be defending his title in a field that includes three other past champions - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Find out the chances of the Big Four players at http://str.sg/iAF


WEB SPECIALS

Zouk retrospective

BEFORE Zouk moves to Clarke Quay next year, we remember the highs and lows of the iconic nightclub at its Jiak Kim Street home at http://str.sg/id4


Powder keg

WHY did coloured powder spark the fire that injured hundreds of partygoers at Taiwan's water park? We look at how corn starch can turn deadly at http://str.sg/idc

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 30, 2015, with the headline The news in 5 minutes. Subscribe