TOP OF THE NEWS
THE United States will lose out in Asia if it continues to drag its feet on free trade, said Foreign and Law Minister K. Shanmugam. At the start of a week-long working visit to the US, he also urged Washington to adopt an "adult approach" to deal with China's rise.
MALAYSIA'S Democratic Action Party (DAP) has declared the demise of the opposition coalition following a Islamic law dispute. But the fight to challenge the ruling coalition will go on, said its party leader.
WORLD
FORMER governor Jeb Bush underplayed his family name as he announced his candidacy for the next US presidential election. His networking and fund-raising ability, as well as his track record in Florida, would help him secure the Republican nomination, analysts said.
THE Hong Kong authorities yesterday vowed to stop violent groups from gaining traction as six people were charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion ahead of a vote this week on the city's controversial political reform. Critics voiced suspicions about the case's timing.
AUSTRALIA continued to equivocate in the face of Indonesia's charges that its officials had paid smugglers to turn back a boatload of asylum seekers. The only thing that counts, said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, is if the influx of refugees could be stemmed.
GREEK Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras yesterday said the International Monetary Fund had "criminal responsibility" for the country's debt crisis as he called on Greece's European creditors to assess the IMF's policies. Greece's talks with its creditors have failed to make any progress so far.
OPINION
True celebration of sporting spirit
Medal tallies aside, what the SEA Games achieved was a spirit of sportsmanship that has reiterated South-east Asia's place on the world map of sports. It is the legacy of this spirit that will linger after other Games throw up new winners.
CHINA'S "One Belt, One Road" plan is part of a long-term strategy to integrate Central and East Asia. It is much like a mega-development programme from the World Bank, oriented towards funding, project evaluation and risk management, writes John Wong.
SINGAPORE
FASHION house Ralph Lauren has lost a bid to stop the United States Polo Association from registering a trademark featuring two polo players. The company told the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore the logo was similar to its Polo Ralph Lauren mark.
A MAN who tried to break into a Housing Board flat three times in broad daylight was finally deterred when its occupants shouted "Police coming" and filmed his actions. Housewife Madam Siti said she even considered hitting him with a guitar.
THE number of patients seeking treatment for diabetes rose by 14 per cent between 2010 and 2013, the National Healthcare Group has revealed. It added that Malay and Indian patients are not managing their condition as well as their Chinese counterparts.
MONEY
LOCAL stocks exposed to the regional tourism sector are the ones most likely to bear the brunt of the Middle East respiratory syndrome that has shaken North-east Asian markets, analysts say. But for now, they think that Mers should be confined to North Asia.
SPORT
FIVE-TIME Major champion Phil Mickelson turned 45, two days before the US Open begins tomorrow at Chambers Bay near Seattle, as he makes a bid to complete the Grand Slam in golf. The six-time runner-up will probably not get a better chance to win a national championship, as the links-style layout favours the 2013 British Open winner.
LIFE
HONG KONG veteran actress Petrina Fung Bo Bo was 12 when she performed in Singapore 47 years ago, and stayed a month in the home of Madam Wee Poh Keok, now 83. Yesterday, Fung reunited with her Singapore godmother, who brought durian puffs to their meeting.
THE popular Seng's Wanton Noodles in Dunman Food Centre is getting a stylish makeover. At its newest outlet in Amoy Street, diners can enjoy the noodles with a fancy side order of sous vide char siew - the pork belly is cooked for 18 hours - and a cocktail.
STRAITS TIMES DIGITAL
SEA Games highs and lows
AS THE curtains fell yesterday on what has been a memorable SEA Games hosted by Singapore - which recorded its best ever performance with a record 84-gold haul - we recap the top 28 moments of the 28th Games in words, pictures and videos. http://str.sg/wkz
ONLINE POLL
Hard to let go of work
ONE in three Singaporeans find it hard to let go of work while on a holiday, while as many as 51 per cent of them said their boss expects them to be contactable, according to Randstad's 2015 Workmonitor research. Take part in ST's survey to answer our questions at http://str.sg/wkH
WEB SPECIAL
LegCo debate
HONG KONG'S Legislative Council (LegCo) will this week debate and vote on a bill on electoral reforms that brought thousands of pro-democracy protesters into the streets last year. Find out in our simple guide what you should know about the controversial plan. http://str.sg/wk9