What's News: Feb 20, 2017

TOP OF THE NEWS

Uni entry via talent scheme

Up to 2,240 university places will be available this year under the discretionary admission scheme for students who fall short of the entry score for a degree course. Their talents in various fields, including the arts and sports, will be considered in their applications.


TOP OF THE NEWS

Trump's rocky first month

US President Donald Trump has seen the rockiest first month of any president in modern history as his unorthodox style and radical policy changes rattle Washington and its allies. He will face more challenges ahead as he launches new moves to curtail immigration, sustains his attacks on the media and criticises the intelligence community.


Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is part of the patrols.
Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is part of the patrols. PHOTO: REUTERS

WORLD

US patrols in S. China Sea

A United States aircraft carrier strike group has started carrying out patrols in the South China Sea, the US Navy said. The force, which includes Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, began routine operations in the South China Sea last Saturday. The patrols come just days after Beijing told Washington not to challenge its sovereignty in the disputed waterway.


WORLD

China on US' N. Korean policy

A high-ranking Chinese official has voiced concern over the US approach to North Korea. Ms Fu Ying said that maintaining sanctions and military pressure on North Korea while refusing to talk to the country will only "drive them in the wrong direction further".


OPINION

Testing time for US-Europe ties

The US-European security relationship appears intact for now following a major conference in Munich, but can it withstand the Trump administration's anti-globalisation stance, asks Europe correspondent Jonathan Eyal.


HOME

FairPrice gives SMEs a boost

NTUC FairPrice's Suppliers Support and Development Programme benefited 302 local small and medium-sized enterprises last year. The supermarket chain invests over $1 million a year to offer a 50 per cent discount on product and listing fees, among other things.


HOME

Search for missing hiker

Search parties comprising police officers, park rangers, family and friends have been looking for an avid hiker who has been missing since last Friday afternoon. Mr Steward Lee, 27, was last seen at Block 407, Fajar Road. He was in a black T-shirt, jeans and sandals.


BUSINESS

Master developer model

Major real estate players with overseas experience in project development would benefit if a "master developer" approach to land use is implemented in Singapore. Such a model - recommended by the Committee on the Future Economy - could see developers taking charge of much larger sites and having a freer hand in land zoning.


SPORTS

Leicester 'lack desire to win'

What Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri seeks most is for his team to "show desire". Despite making 10 changes to the side that lost 0-2 at Swansea City last week, his Foxes lost 0-1 to Millwall in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday. Millwall manager Neil Harris, whose side were down to 10 men in the 52nd minute, said: "There was more pressure on Leicester."


Katherine Parkinson stars in British sci-fi series Humans. PHOTO: AMC

LIFE

Actress wants robot help

Actress Katherine Parkinson, 38, says she could do with a Synth robot to help her cook for her two children, as well as to do her washing and ironing. Parkinson stars in the acclaimed British sci-fi television series Humans, where humans and anthropomorphic robots known as Synths co-exist.


VIDEO

Light after Darker Now

Home-grown indie pop duo Tomgirl purge the negative through their music. http://str.sg/st-sessions

VIDEO

Secure your handphones

5 tips to prevent hackers from stealing your data. http://str.sg/ZjxC

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 20, 2017, with the headline What's News: Feb 20, 2017. Subscribe