What's News: March 17, 2016

TOP OF THE NEWS

4 arrested under ISA

Four Singaporeans have been arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for engaging or intending to take part in violence overseas. Unlike terror-related arrests announced previously, none of the four planned to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group. Wang Yuandongyi, 23, was planning to join a Kurdish militia that is fighting against ISIS.


TOP OF THE NEWS

Dating, the S. Korean way

Koreans are more willing to use commercial agencies to help them find a partner. Will these dating agencies work in Singapore? They will need to take into account the local culture to succeed, said Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo.


WORLD

Big wins for Trump, Clinton

Tycoon Donald Trump and former first lady Hillary Clinton (photo) had a night to savour as they won big in primaries for their respective parties' presidential nominations. Mr Trump's night was especially sweet as he won in rival Marco Rubio's home state of Florida, pushing the senator out of the race. But he was denied a clean sweep by Ohio Governor John Kasich, who won in his home state.


WORLD

Najib speaks on 1MDB

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has spoken for the first time in Parliament on accusations against him over state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), saying they were "orchestrated" by political foes. Kuala Lumpur is also mulling over regulating online media sites.


OPINION

Sizing up new MediShield plan

Medical insurance just got more confusing, writes senior health correspondent Salma Khalik. She assesses a new Integrated Plan under MediShield Life in terms of the concerns it was meant to address but fails to.


HOME

Bloggers warned by taxman

Bloggers and social media "influencers" have been told by the taxman that sponsored trips, meals and other freebies are "non- monetary benefits-in-kind". Such perks are taxable and must be declared as part of their income.


HOME

That mystery burning smell

A mystery burning smell noticed by residents around Singapore of late has led to some fearing it is the return of the haze. However, scientists have played down the possibility, saying there are currently very few land fires in the region and the Pollutant Standards Index has been low.


BUSINESS

Smaller upside for new ECs

Some of the older executive condominiums (EC) are fetching healthy profits for their owners but this may not be the case when the current batch of ECs get privatised. Prices of older ECs rose from about 2010, propelled by low interest rates that sent housing values soaring.


Manchester United's Chris Smalling failing to stop Liverpool's Roberto Firmino from scoring in a Europa League match last week. PHOTO: REUTERS

SPORT

Reds aim to finish off Devils

With a comfortable 2-0 first-leg lead, Liverpool are not afraid of travelling to Manchester United and hope to finish off their English rivals tonight at Old Trafford to reach the Europa League quarter-finals. Borussia Dortmund are even more at ease, taking a 3-0 lead to Tottenham.


LIFE

Taking aim at Asian stereotype

PHOTO: AXN

Korean-American actor Daniel Henney hopes his latest role, an FBI agent in cop drama Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, will break the stereotype that many have of Asian actors. He calls his character atypical: a former soldier built for the US public to fall in love with and who is the "muscle of the show".


LIFE

Trump's butler on his boss

Even though there is a hair salon on the premises, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump still prefers to do his own hair when he is staying at his private living quarters in his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. His long-time butler, Mr Anthony Senecal, revealed this and other nuggets of information in a recent interview.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 17, 2016, with the headline What's News: March 17, 2016. Subscribe