TOP OF THE NEWS
Asian trade ministers have taken another step towards creating what could be the world's biggest trading bloc, expressing hope that a deal could be signed by year end. Ministers from the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which includes China, Japan and India but not the United States, met yesterday.
TOP OF THE NEWS
Fixing issue of falling facades
Experts say the onus is on building owners to ensure building facades are safe. Although the Building and Construction Authority will be introducing new regulations - including a mandatory facade inspection regime - after this year, they will apply only to buildings above 20 years old.
WORLD
The marriage of a 41-year-old Malaysian man to an 11-year-old Thai girl has sparked outrage in the Muslim-majority country. The marriage took place on June 18 in Thailand's largely Muslim far south, but the authorities said even if the wedding took place in another country, the bride and groom must seek Syariah Court approval.
WORLD
Last year, some 53,000 Chinese citizens returned to China after spending years abroad working or studying, a stark increase from the 29,000 in 2011. The trend is likely to continue, as many countries are tightening their borders while China is doing the reverse.
OPINION
A new study details how a coordinated, pre-emptive response by French state agencies helped presidential candidates fight off cyber security threats and influence operations in the last election, says Europe correspondent Jonathan Eyal.
HOME
Training providers are turning to virtual reality (VR) to improve their operations and reduce manpower costs. Apart from using actual vehicles, AAT Training's forklift operating course trains drivers using VR goggles. This helps to cut down the likelihood of accidents.
HOME
The annual Public Service Week begins today and will highlight what the public service will focus on in the coming years. It will feature various events, including a reception at the Istana and an awards ceremony to recognise public servants for their work.
BUSINESS
Trade tensions between the United States and China affected the Singapore equity market last month, with total market capitalisation on the Singapore Exchange 3.4 per cent lower at $947.3 billion.
SPORT
Mixed martial arts fighter Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa, 25, the youngest fighter in the top 10 of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) rankings, says growing up with 11 siblings in a working-class suburb in western Sydney, known for drug problems and petty crime, meant he had to be tough to survive. And he believes it is only a matter of time before he becomes the UFC heavyweight champion.
LIFE
American chef-restaurateur Mario Batali's (above) Italian restaurants Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) will close on July 27. MBS says the move is "in line with our continuous evolution of F&B offerings over the years".
It did not address the recent sexual misconduct controversy surrounding Batali.
Straits Times Digital
VIDEO
Wildlife under threat
The Straits Times goes undercover in the Golden Triangle to investigate the illegal wildlife trade. str.sg/wildlife1
VIDEO
Ballet cheat sheet
Keen to attend ballet performances but not sure how to understand the moves? Watch this: str.sg/oMmZ
