What's News: April 04, 2017

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

TOP OF THE NEWS

Boosting security at big events

Wide-ranging changes to the Public Order Act were passed in Parliament yesterday, giving police powers to require large-scale public events to put security measures in place. The changes are part of measures to boost security at such events in the light of the growing terror threat.

TOP OF THE NEWS

Comfort to offer flat fares too

From next Monday, ComfortDelGro will offer a fixed fare option for commuters who book a taxi through its phone app. Commuters may choose this or the traditional metered fare on Comfort and CityCab taxis. This comes just days after five other operators offered dynamic pricing via Grab.

WORLD

Trump's threat 'just a ploy'

US President Donald Trump's threat to go it alone to address North Korea's nuclear programme if China does not help America out is little more than a negotiation strategy, analysts in China and the region have said. "It's an asking price" ahead of the summit meeting later this week between Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, said Professor Jin Canrong of Renmin University in Beijing.

WORLD

Grab for Indonesia market

Ride-hailing company Grab has bought Indonesian online payment start-up Kudo as the company kicks off a battle with rivals Uber and Go-Jek for market share, with the first investment of a US$700 million (S$978 million) pledge in its largest market over the next four years.

OPINION

Fight stigma over depression

Depression remains an enigma, with many believing that those struck by lingering sadness and fear are weak, not sick. Society needs to help the afflicted to seek treatment and stop stigmatising them, writes psychiatrist Chong Siow Ann.

HOME

Reversible lanes ease jams

The first automated reversible traffic lane system is in use in the link to Jurong Island. Instead of having four lanes in each direction in the morning rush, the system increases entry lanes to six, while departing lanes are cut to two. It is the first of its kind in Singapore.

HOME

Club members set to pay less

Following an extraordinary general meeting yesterday that lasted 41/2 hours, Seletar Country Club members will likely each pay less than the $10,000 fee originally proposed by the club to extend the land lease of its golf course and upgrade its other facilities.

BUSINESS

PMI highest since Nov 2014

Singapore's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) - an early indicator of manufacturing activity - logged its seventh straight month of expansion in March. The PMI came in at 51.2 last month, up from 50.9 in February. This was also its highest reading since November 2014. A reading of 50 and above indicates expansion.

SPORT

US golfer foiled by TV viewer

Lexi Thompson was in tears after a four-stroke penalty while leading the ANA Inspiration golf Major by two shots. A TV viewer noticed the American had incorrectly replaced a marked ball in the third round.

As Thompson tried to regroup, Tiger Woods tweeted: "Viewers at home should not be officials wearing stripes."

LIFE

In the kingdom of women

Singaporean former lawyer Choo Waihong spent six years living with the matriarchal tribe of the Mosuo in Yunnan and documents the experience in her book, The Kingdom Of Women: Life, Love And Death In China's Hidden Mountains.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 04, 2017, with the headline What's News: April 04, 2017. Subscribe