TOP OF THE NEWS
TERRORISTS struck sites in France, Tunisia and Kuwait yesterday, renewing concerns about Islamist militants. At least 27 people were killed in a Tunisian resort town, while a US-owned gas factory in France was hit and a suicide bomber attacked a Kuwaiti mosque.
THE premiums for people on integrated health insurance plans (IPs) that cover them at private hospitals will remain unchanged with the introduction of MediShield Life later this year.
WORLD
CHINESE officials are finalising plans to move Beijing's municipal government to the satellite town of Tongzhou.
The move is aimed at easing ever-worsening traffic problems and widespread destruction of Beijing's old city.
MALAYSIA'S famous 24-hour restaurants and hawker centres may become a thing of the past. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim says a proposal to end operating hours at midnight follows the outlets being blamed for a rise in social ills.
SINGAPORE'S Ambassador to China Stanley Loh said it is important for Singapore's third government-led project in China to be aligned with Beijing's economic belt initiatives and be given priority under them. In an interview with Global Times, Mr Loh also talked about the South China Sea issue.
UNITED States Intelligence chief James Clapper has pointed to China as the top suspect in the massive hacking of a US government agency that compromised the personnel records of millions of Americans. In response, Beijing denounced the accusations as "absurd logic".
OPINION
Mers comes closer to Singapore
The arrival of the Middle East respiratory syndrome in Thailand brings the disease a worrying step closer to Singapore. The response is not panic but a combination of official measures and personal precautions that can help Singapore to meet a possible outbreak.
ONE would think the process to select a new United Nations secretary-general would include a global executive search, with contenders parading their credentials and speaking up in different platforms. But the search is opaque and riven with rumour and speculation, says Professor Simon Chesterman in the By Invitation column.
SINGAPORE
IT MAY not be the chlorine in a swimming pool that irritates the eyes.
According to the Centres for Disease Control, peeing in a pool depletes chlorine and actually produces an irritant that makes people's eyes turn red.
SHOPS may be barred from displaying cigarettes for sale, under proposed amendments to the Tobacco Act. While this move is likely to discourage impulse buying, retailers say it also means there will likely be confusion, longer waits and added business costs.
THERE is no conclusive proof that cannabis has medical benefits despite a push to legalise the drug worldwide, said Second Minister for Home Affairs Masagos Zukifli at an anti-drug event yesterday. He urged youth to say no to all drugs.
MONEY
MR MAGNUS Bocker has transformed the Singapore Exchange into a much more diversified business during his 5½ years at the helm. But the Swede, who will soon hand over to his successor, has also faced some criticism along the way.
SPORT
IT HAS been a poor month for Singapore's world No. 4 paddler Feng Tianwei. Yesterday, she was knocked out in the Japan Open in Kobe at the first hurdle by the host nation's Misako Wakamiya.
The 28-year-old had shockingly been eliminated at the singles group stage in the SEA Games at home earlier this month.
SATURDAY
MR KEVIN Y.L. Tan tells the story of the race against time to raise funds for the new natural history museum (above) in a new book. There's the 10 minutes that netted $10 million; the secretary who gave half a month's salary; and the philanthropist who "rounded up" a $15 million donation to $25 million with one condition: make the museum world class.
LIFE!
NOW that driverless vehicles have been built, manufacturers have to decide if the cars should have power over who lives or dies in an accident. For example, should a car sacrifice its occupant by swerving off a cliff to avoid a bus full of children? Car executives have turned to ethicists and philosophers for aid.
TAYLOR Swift has said she would stream her latest album 1989 on Apple's new service, apparently ending her brief dispute with the tech giant. The service, Apple Music, which opens around the world on Tuesday, would be the first outlet to stream 1989, which has sold nearly five million copies in the United States since its release last year.
STRAITS TIMES DIGITAL
Peter's soccer guests
THANKS to local billionaire Peter Lim, Singapore has seen the likes of Manchester United goalie David de Gea and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo coming down for a visit. Who are the other football celebrities? http://str.sg/we6
WEB SPECIALS
Premier port of call
THE port of Singapore is one of the world's best and a recent $3.5-billion boost for Pasir Panjang Terminal will only make it better. Here are 10 facts about the port. http://str.sg/who
Unhappy homes
PASIR Ris One is not the only Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) project that has been slammed for shoddy workmanship. We look at the others at http://str.sg/wna
