This is a fortnightly round-up of FAQs, pegged on news events, published on The Straits Times' website. Go to http://str.sg/Z9Zr for more
From the science fiction idea of a sonic weapon to the theories about human behaviour that led to a Nobel Prize, ST Explainers ranged far and wide in the past two weeks. We also present an interactive guide to the Chinese Communist Party's most important gathering, the Party Congress, as well as revisit the headline-grabbing death of Mr Kim Jong Nam as the trial of two women accused of his murder started in Kuala Lumpur.
Highlights of HK leader's maiden policy address
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave her maiden policy address on Wednesday. We look at seven highlights of her 40-minute speech, which addressed issues from air-conditioning in schools to transport subsidies to paternity leave. http://str.sg/4C62
Getting to know Brunei's Sultan
Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 71, is the country's Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Finance, and Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. As Brunei celebrated his Golden Jubilee, correspondent Arlina Arshad takes a closer look at the monarch, who is one of the longest-reigning rulers in the world. http://str.sg/4C4q
US diplomats under sonic attack in Cuba?
It sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, but American and Canadian diplomats reported symptoms, including hearing loss and dizziness, which are being attributed to a "sonic attack". Although the State Department in the United States has avoided using that term, such a weapon is not just in the realm of fiction. ST Explainers looks at how such a weapon might work and who would wield it. http://str.sg/49F8
Kim Jong Nam's sensational murder and trial of two suspects
The trial of two women charged with Mr Kim Jong Nam's murder started on Oct 2. The sensational death of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on Feb 13 grabbed global headlines. We recap all you need to know about Mr Kim's death, the two suspects and the issues surrounding the trial at http://str.sg/49u2
A to Z guide to China's Party Congress
The Communist Party of China holds its Party Congress on Oct 18.
This is the most important political meeting in the country, and ST Explainers has an interactive A to Z guide to the event. http://str.sg/ccpcazguide
Nobel economics prize winner's influential theories
The Nobel Prize for economics this year went to University of Chicago professor Richard Thaler for his work in behavioural economics.
We look at three of his influential theories about how human behaviour influences economics at http://str.sg/4Cn3
Dos and don'ts of bringing food into Singapore
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority fined importers and seized instant self-heating hotpots containing meat recently. The self-heating hotpots, which have a heat pack that requires only room-temperature water to be activated, are one of the latest food fads to hit Singapore. We look at some of the rules governing food imports to Singapore, and offer a guide for travellers bringing in food for personal consumption at http://str.sg/4CnN
How to eat healthy on a budget, buy Healthier Choice items
ST Explainers tackled two topics related to healthy eating in the past fortnight.
The costs of eating healthy were raised in Parliament on Oct 3, when Mr Chong Kee Hiong (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) cited the example of a kaya spread, the regular version of which costs $2.95 while the version with lower sugar content costs $3.95. Go to http://str.sg/49F3 for five tips on how to eat healthy on a budget.
The Health Promotion Board's Healthier Choice scheme, which identifies healthier food items with a label, also came under scrutiny. Experts pointed out that food products sporting this label are not necessarily healthy choices. We offer five tips to guide you when shopping for Healthier Choice items. http://str.sg/4CPG
Chefs who returned Michelin stars, and why they did so
News that Restaurant Andre was closing shocked the food and beverage industry on Wednesday. Chef Andre Chiang also declared that he wanted to return the two Michelin stars given to his restaurant by the food guide. He is not the first chef to do so. We look at some chefs who have returned their Michelin stars, and why they did so. http://str.sg/4C2f
