SINGAPORE - Newsstands all over the island were stocked early this morning with a revamped version of Singapore's most-read newspaper.
Readers The Straits Times spoke to today were impressed by the changes, which include a brand-new layout, typeface, and expanded content.
Mr Yeo Hock Chai, 55, an architect, said the new look of the paper was "promising".
"The new font and layout has a crisper, cleaner look, and the large photos and spaces make it definitely much easier to read," he said.
Mr Yeo, who has regularly read The Straits Times for over thirty years, also praised the new "What's Next" and "Why It Matters" features on page two of the paper, which he said are helpful for the time-starved reader.
Accounts executive Janet Koh, 52, thought the new Home section's daily features were a good idea.
"It helps to give more focus to the paper, and is also good for readers who are interested on a particular topic," she noted.
While many were positive about the new and improved paper, some also looked forward to reading their old favourites.
Mr John Huntley, an American working here, said that he has been reading The Straits Times since he came to Singapore in 2007. The 50-year-old lawyer enjoys reading crime stories written by senior law correspondent K.C. Vijayan and court correspondent Elena Chong.
"They write succinctly and clearly about the proceedings, without getting bogged down by too much legal jargon," he noted.
Banker Alfred Wee, 50, who likes to read the Sports and Money (now renamed Business) sections, said that he hopes the column by deputy editor Sumiko Tan will continue. Her fortnightly personal column in the Sunday Times is the longest-running column in the paper. It started in July 1994.
The revamped Sunday Times which comes July 5 will have three sections. The first will include local, international and sports news, while the second will feature news analyses, commentaries and tips on how to invest money. The third section, Life, will have food, travel and lifestyle features.
Today's relaunch also came with a $1.70 McDonald's breakfast deal, which includes one Sausage McMuffin and a cup of coffee or tea. The meal usually costs $3. The offer is part of the broadsheet's 170th anniversary celebrations.
Full-time national serviceman Tow Ying Xiang, 19, was spotted at the McDonald's outlet at the Toa Payoh HDB Hub early this morning.
Mr Tow said that he has read the paper since he was in primary school, and found the new design refreshing but said it would "take time to get used to".
"I think the offer was a good idea, as people would usually grab a copy of the paper and read it over breakfast," he said.
