What's News: Jun 10, 2016

PM Lee Hsien Loong speaks during the opening ceremony of Downtown Line 2 at Botanic Gardens station on Dec 26, 2015. PHOTO: ST FILE

TOP OF THE NEWS

PM on delinking Net access

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was the first person to volunteer in a trial to delink computers used by civil servants from the Internet.

Revealing this yesterday, he said cutting Internet access is "absolutely necessary" to keep Government data and public services secure. It takes effect in May next year.

TOP OF THE NEWS

Reducing flood risk in Orchard

A diversion canal to relieve the Stamford Canal in Orchard Road, and a detention tank to hold water during heavy rain are about halfway complete.

The diversion canal is expected to be completed by early 2018 and the tank by early next year.

Israelis in shock after an attack at a restaurant in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

WORLD

Israel responds to shooting

The Israeli military said yesterday that it would send hundreds more troops to the Occupied West Bank following a shooting attack by two Palestinians in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Permits for 83,000 Palestinians to visit Israel have also been revoked. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday condemned the attack, which killed four Israelis.

WORLD

70 years of Thai King's reign

Hundreds of monks led ceremonies yesterday marking 70 years since Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne, even as anxiety grows over the health of the ailing leader. The 88-year-old king is the world's longest-serving monarch.

OPINION

3 Shangri-La Dialogue myths

This year's IISS Shangri-La Dialogue played out according to script, with a Chinese rebuttal of US statements on regional ties.

Three lines of thinking drove the discussions. But all three need to be re-examined, says Ravi Velloor in the Speaking of Asia column.

HOME

Take-up low for seniors' homes

A government plan to have 60 group homes for seniors by year's end is not likely to happen, with just 14 set up till now. Only 37 seniors live in the rental flat clusters, meant to allow people to age in place rather than be moved to institutions.

HOME

Thailand still a holiday draw

People are not changing their plans to visit Thailand during the June holidays, though the authorities have advised tourists to exercise vigilance while in the country. Thailand was rocked by a number of incidents in August last year, including a bomb blast in Bangkok.

BUSINESS

Buyer of BSI upbeat

The buyer of troubled bank BSI is confident of its prospects in Asia and hopes to retain as many staff as possible. But it will screen clients from BSI, which was at the centre of a 1MDB probe, and enforce checks for compliance standards, said EFG International's Asia-Pacific chief.

PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

SPORT

Cavaliers revive title hopes

Despite being trounced by Golden State Warriors in the opening two games of NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a dramatic 120-90 victory in Game 3. LeBron James (centre) led with 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Slacklining fan Deborah Wong, 26, can do yoga poses on a line. She says the sport helps her focus better and be in tune with her body. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

LIFE

Slacklining community grows

The sport involves balancing and walking on a line anchored on both sides above ground level.

In 2010, only five people were known to practise the sport in Singapore. There is now a community of over 1,000 enthusiasts.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 10, 2016, with the headline What's News: Jun 10, 2016. Subscribe