TOP OF THE NEWS
The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) decision to halt the appreciation of the Singdollar has underscored the bleak outlook for the local economy. The move came as flash estimates from the Ministry of Trade and Industry showed the economy expanded 1.8 per cent in the first quarter year-on-year. But growth was zero on a quarter-on-quarter basis.
TOP OF THE NEWS
The United States has begun joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea, the first taking place last month, and the second, early this month. Such joint patrols are somewhat rare, but they nevertheless take place against a backdrop of growing tension over China's territorial claims and reclamation in the disputed sea.
WORLD
Indonesian President Joko Widodo plans to push through a moratorium on new concessions for oil palm plantations and land for mining activities. This would mean palm oil and mining firms can no longer expand their operations in Indonesia. Mr Joko said yields from existing palm oil concessions could be doubled with better seeds.
WORLD
The Saenuri Party's defeat in Wednesday's election has dealt a devastating blow to South Korean President Park Geun Hye. The opposition Minjoo Party won 123 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly, narrowly edging out the ruling party's 122 seats, according to final results from the National Election Commission.
OPINION
In 40 years, Asia - particularly South-east Asia - has been transformed. Vietnam then was really the name for a war, not the investment-rich nation it is today. Burma was closed to the world, not the Myanmar we know now. Across wider Asia, massive changes have come, says Ravi Velloor.
HOME
A teen who was sexually abused by a neighbour, who she thought was a man but later found to be a woman, said she still has nightmares. Now 18, the teen was 13 when she first got to know Zunika Ahmad, 39, who was acquitted of sexual penetration of a minor after a judge ruled that only a man could be charged with such a crime.
HOME
Art Heritage Singapore, the firm behind the private Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris museum which closed on Monday, faces more legal troubles. Two more lawsuits have been filed against it, bringing the number of lawsuits to four so far and the total amount claimed to nearly $900,000.
BUSINESS
The future ownership of Capitol Singapore hangs in the balance, with the two main shareholders as well as the management locked in dispute over the project. One of the owners, Perennial Real Estate Holdings, is bringing matters to a head by filing applications for three of its associated companies - which together own Capitol Singapore - to be wound up.
SPORT
On the same day that the Golden State Warriors set an NBA record of 73 victories in a regular season, overtaking the Chicago Bulls' tally, came another basketball landmark. Kobe Bryant, playing the last professional game of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, had an unprecedented 60-point game in a 101-96 victory against Utah Jazz.
LIFE
Bob Geldof to economists: Nothing discussed works
Irish music veteran Bob Geldof, who was behind the groundbreaking Live Aid (1985) and Live 8 ( 2005) charity concerts, had a blunt message for economists he was speaking to yesterdayhere. In a keynote speech at the Invest Asean 2016 conference, he said nothing talked about in the meeting works, because we live in a world of surplus and yet people die of want.
