What's News: Feb 22, 2017

TOP OF THE NEWS

Property curbs 'likely to stay'

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said property curbs are likely to stay for some time, as the country's economy remains stable and demand is still "very resilient". The Government is standing pat on the curbs, which include higher stamp duties, as it wants to avoid overheating the housing market again.

TOP OF THE NEWS

Widespread floods in Jakarta

Soldiers help a resident in a flooded neighbourhood in Jakarta. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

Heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding in Jakarta yesterday has threatened to dampen Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's hopes for re-election.

Flood waters from the heavy rain, which started on Monday, had risen to as high as 1.5m in some residential areas.

WORLD

More Chinese take temp jobs

As bloated state-owned enterprises trim their labour force, China's youth are warming to short-term employment. DouMi, an agency that focuses on part-time positions, saw its monthlya active users double to 20 million in just six months. Among DouMi's job seekers, 90 per cent are 35 years old or younger.

WORLD

Vehicle-tracking in Xinjiang

The Chinese authorities have ordered all motor vehicles in Bayingol prefecture in far-western Xinjiang to be installed with mandatory Global Positioning System-style tracking devices, the latest tough anti-terror measure targeting the ethnically divided region.

OPINION

A new consensus on economy

What Singapore needs is consensus on the direction for the economy over the next decade, write Tan Khee Giap and Gareth Tan. To forge that consensus, society needs to grapple with tough issues, including openness to foreign manpower.

HOME

Day job and evening classes

SIM University student Abdul Fareed Mustakin, 25, went on a six-month internship last year and impressed his bosses so much he was offered a permanent post at the tech company. He was able to take the job by switching to evening classes, which the university allows.

HOME

Specialist security unit

The Protective Security Command - a police specialist unit that protects sensitive infrastructure and locations, and provides security at key national events - will be fully operational by the year's end. About half the team has finished training at the unit.

BUSINESS

Five traders punished

Five trading representatives were fined and suspended last year after they created a false market in the shares of five listed firms. Three were working for CIMB Securities, while the remaining two were from OCBC Securities and RHB Securities.

SPORT

Top shuttlers for S'pore event

Women's world No. 1 Tai Tzu-ying has confirmed her entry for badminton's OUE Singapore Open from April 11 to 16. She will be joined in the women's singles draw by India's Olympic runner-up P.V. Sindhu and former world No. 1 Saina Nehwal.

Their confirmation means that nine of the world's top 10 women shuttlers will contest the singles title.

PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

LIFE

Drake rejects Grammys

Drake, the world's top-selling artist last year, has accused the Grammy Awards of pigeonholing him as a rapper because he is black, and said he does not want his two awards in rap categories for Hotline Bling.

He voiced dismay that his One Dance, the most-streamed song on Spotify, was passed over for nomination.


VIDEO

Banking on mee


It is hard work and lots of sacrifices, says Ms Kelly Wong, 27, who left her job in a bank to sell wanton noodles. http://str.sg/hawkermee

VIDEO

Over the rainbow


Get to know the difference between fire, red and other types of rainbows that transform the skies after a downpour. http://str.sg/4rainbows

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 22, 2017, with the headline What's News: Feb 22, 2017. Subscribe