TOP OF THE NEWS
Cycling tracks, a community garden and seasonal flowering trees are among the things that will feature in the new Jurong Lake Gardens, the National Parks Board announced yesterday. They were among almost 18,000 ideas proposed by the public earlier this year. Pagodas and bridges in the Chinese and Japanese Gardens will be retained.
TOP OF THE NEWS
The Workers' Party yesterday called for a Committee of Inquiry to probe the Hepatitis C infections at the Singapore General Hospital. The Government said it would convene such a committee, if the WP was prepared to "lead evidence".
WORLD
Israel has affirmed that Muslim- only worship at one of Jerusalem's holiest sites would be maintained. A suggestion that 24-hour cameras be installed at the Al-Aqsa mosque was also accepted to quell violence with Palestinians, but some say there will be no change unless Jews stop praying there.
WORLD
An ambitious project to boost US-China ties aims for one million Americans to learn Chinese by 2020. It also aims to double the number of Chinese-language teachers in the United States, eventually training Americans to teach the language.
OPINION
As the US and Britain shrink back from the Middle East amid intervention fatigue, France is becoming more engaged. It is a policy that reaps dividends, via its arms sales, but is also underpinned by strategic interests, says Europe Correspondent Jonathan Eyal.
HOME
Mr Bottle works his magic on kids
A Singaporean father of two has become the first children's magician in Asia to be featured on the cover of prestigious magic magazine The Linking Ring. Mr Wee Kien Meng, 37, alias Mr Bottle, fell in love with magic when he was a boy, after his father made an egg disappear under a handkerchief.
HOME
Some people are complaining that laundry pole-holders supplied by HDB are not safe following reports of poles falling off and smashing windows. HDB said they could be using poles of the wrong size or using the holders incorrectly.
BUSINESS
The sudden devaluation of the yuan in August may have set off volatility over the Chinese currency, but experts say its rise will continue over the long term. Singapore's role in the internationalisation of the yuan is likely to keep growing as well, following moves to expand its role as an offshore yuan hub.
SPORT
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho faces a one-game stadium ban from the Football Association, after being sent to the stands at half-time during their 1-2 loss to West Ham.
He refused to speak to the media and has already appealed against a £50,000 (S$107,000) fine and a suspended one-match ban for criticising referees.
LIFE
ST journalists at writers fest
Three Straits Times veterans will be featured in the inaugural ST Conversations at the Singapore Writers Festival, to be held from Friday to Nov 8. Wong Kim Hoh will discuss mental illness, Wong Ah Yoke, hawker fare, while Rohit Brijnath will talk about Singapore's chances at the Olympics.
LIFE
Four years after he and actress Michelle Chia went their separate ways, Channel 8 leading man Shaun Chen has quietly married a beautician in her 20s and is due to become a dad in December. He is preparing for his child's future, which includes, hopefully, relocating his wife and daughter to Singapore after the birth.
