TOP OF THE NEWS
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has pleaded not guilty to four charges levelled against him in connection with the 1MDB scandal. This is the first time a former premier has been charged in a court of law in Malaysia, with Najib claiming that the case was politically motivated, and vowing to clear his name.
TOP OF THE NEWS
Investigations are still ongoing over the root cause of a fibre broadband outage that saw Singtel users cut off from Web surfing for 3½ hours yesterday. A cyber attack has been ruled out. Users started complaining from 7.30am, and access was restored at 11am. Payments provider AXS' website and app were also affected.
WORLD
One of Chinese President Xi Jinping's biggest weapons in a looming trade war with the United States could be a boycott of American brands in China. But this could risk collateral damage as the China operations of all American brands doing business in the country, such as McDonald's, are co-owned by government-backed Chinese firms.
WORLD
India has told WhatsApp to take action after false rumours spread via the messaging service sparked a spate of horrific lynchings. More than 25 people have been killed in recent months over rumours about child kidnappers, thieves and sexual predators.
OPINION
A web of circumstances has enabled the illegal hiring of underage maids. While the Ministry of Manpower has stepped up enforcement action, more needs to be done, including toughening laws, says aStraits Times reporter Yuen Sin.
HOME
Clearing up oBikes a huge task
Work to remove oBike's bicycles from public areas began on Monday, but its chairman said it would not be possible to clear all 70,000 bikes by the deadline yesterday set by the Land Transport Authority. Several companies have been appointed to carry out the task.
HOME
Older Singaporeans say they will switch from ElderShield to CareShield Life only if premiums are affordable. CareShield Life, which has a better payout for long-term disability, will be compulsory for Singapore residents born after 1980, but those older can opt out.
BUSINESS
Developers, banks and home buyers should be wary about the euphoria in the property market, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) managing director Ravi Menon warned yesterday. He told a briefing that developers should be cautious when making land bids, given the supply of homes coming on stream.
SPORT
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had described England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as a "weak link" before Tuesday's 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Colombia in the World Cup. But the 24-year-old custodian made the Frenchman eat his words when he saved Carlos Bacca's spot kick before Eric Dier scored the decisive penalty to seal England's progress to the quarter-finals.
LIFE
Multiple award winner Amy Adams is one of the most sought after Hollywood actresses. But the star of acclaimed films such as 2016's Arrival had to learn to say "no" to work and to stop worrying that offers would dry up. She plays a troubled reporter in new television series Sharp Objects.
VIDEO
Life after a stroke
From stroke victim to social work graduate: Mr Lee Wee Yong shares his story in our Generation Grit series. http://str.sg/oMbb
PODCAST
Singapore at World Cup?
Former national footballer R. Sasikumar and Straits Times sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz discuss Singapore's sports ecosystem. http://str.sg/oMz8
