What's News: May 04, 2016

From July, developers here will have to factor in the safety, convenience and accessibility of pedestrians and cyclists into their designs. PHOTO: ST FILE

TOP OF THE NEWS

Bangladeshis held under ISA

Eight Bangladeshi workers who were planning to stage terror attacks back home have been detained under the Internal Security Act , in the first detentions involving a terror cell of foreign workers. They had a list of targets and a bomb-making manual, and had raised funds to buy firearms for attacks in Bangladesh. Another five men have been deported.

TOP OF THE NEWS

Needs of pedestrians, cyclists

From July, developers here will have to factor in the safety, convenience and accessibility of pedestrians and cyclists into their designs by, among other things, building facilities such as bicycle parking, shower rooms and lockers. The changes announced yesterday are part of the Government's push to make active mobility modes more viable transport options.

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

WORLD

Budget 'pitch' to Aussie voters

Two months before Australia goes to the polls in an early election on July 2, its government has unveiled a risk-free Budget seen as a pitch to voters. Treasurer Scott Morrison said it was designed to promote "jobs and growth", amid a sluggish economy.

WORLD

Tokyo-Manila ties deepen

Ties between former World War II foes Japan and the Philippines have deepened, after Tokyo agreed to lease five TC-90 planes to Manila. Philippine leader Benigno Aquino said the planes will be used to patrol the South China Sea, as China's territorial ambitions grow.

OPINION

Before following the crowd...

Crowdfunding has entered the mainstream, with DBS Bank and other established players jumping on the bandwagon. But investors in search of good yields should still look hard before they leap, writes Jacqueline Woo.

HOME

'Scrap early' plan extended

A scheme that encourages owners of old, pollutive diesel vehicles to replace them earlier will be extended for the final time to July 31, 2017. The Early Turnover Scheme gives allowances to owners of Euro 1 or pre-Euro vehicles if they scrap them earlier.

HOME

S'porean faces jail time in US

A Singaporean admitted in a United States court last Friday to videotaping three women in the bathroom. Alexander Lim, 25, who was expelled last year from Wheaton College in Illinois, west of Chicago, faces a jail sentence of up to five years.

BUSINESS

Aeropostale stores stay open

Aeropostale's outlets in Singapore will remain open "for the time being", as the United States teen clothing retailer looks set to file for bankruptcy this week, said Jay Gee Melwani Group, distributor of the brand here and in Malaysia. It is reportedly set to close more than 100 of about 800 stores though it is not clear where.

Gracie will fight Poland's Michal Pasternak in the One Championship inaugural light- heavyweight title bout on Friday. PHOTO: ALICIA CHAN FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

SPORT

Gracie not taking things easy

He comes from a famed Brazilian jiu-jitsu family but Roger Gracie is not taking victory in Friday's One Championship inaugural light-heavyweight title bout for granted. The Brazilian knows his opponent, Poland's Michal Pasternak, is no pushover, not with his 11-0 record.

Anugerah Skrin winners Yaya Hamid (right) and Syaiful 'Ariffin will star in a TV series. ST PHOTO: MARCUS TAN

LIFE

Actress to keep security job

Budding local actress Yaya Hamid may be one of two winners of this year's Anugerah Skrin talent contest, but she plans to keep her day job as a security officer because it provides a more stable income. She is in talks for a supporting role in an upcoming telemovie.

LIFE

Indie rock acts at music fest

Acclaimed indie rock acts Foals and Sigur Ros will headline this year's Neon Lights when the music and arts festival returns for a second year at Fort Canning Park on Nov 26 and 27. Early-bird tickets will go on sale at 9am on May 10.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 04, 2016, with the headline What's News: May 04, 2016. Subscribe