TOP OF THE NEWS
Asia-Pacific leaders reaffirmed their determination to free up trade and investment across the region, even as they acknowledged the difficulties involved and took a "broader approach" at this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Philippine President Benigno Aquino told the media that there were no technical meetings on issues of trade.
TOP OF THE NEWS
Signals that the pace of United States interest rate hikes will be slow after a likely lift-off next month gave Asian bourses a fillip yesterday. Investors in the region were responding to Wall Street's positive response to Fed officials indicating that the pace of monetary tightening will be gradual.
WORLD
President Xi Jinping has denounced the execution of a Chinese national by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. Separately, Norway has condemned the beheading of its national, Mr Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad. Singapore has decried the killings.
WORLD
Indonesia and Australia will resume cooperation on sharing of intelligence to fight terrorism and the trade of illicit drugs, a decision taken during Indonesian top security minister Luhut Pandjaitan's visit to Sydney earlier this week.
SPORT
McCaw calls it a day, pays tribute to Lomu
Richie McCaw, who captained the All Blacks to their second straight Rugby World Cup three weeks ago, announced his retirement yesterday, a day after the death of New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu. The 34-year-old began his press conference with a minute's silence for "the superstar".
OPINION
Back in 2013, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi announced she would like to be president of Myanmar. Now that Mr Thein Sein has delivered on his promise of democracy and a free market economy, the hard work begins for The Lady, writes Associate Editor Ravi Velloor.
HOME
Vehicles used in the Singapore Armed Forces will be fitted with cameras to record the front, side and interior views of the driver's cabin. The extra "eyes" should give more reason for servicemen to drive safely. The SAF wants to fit its fleet of 6,900 vehicles such as mini- buses, Land Rovers and trucks.
HOME
Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) will not be going to Mount Kinabalu for its annual leadership programme next year, its principal said yesterday. The school gave out awards yesterday to recognise the bravery of the 29 pupils who went to scale the mountain this year, including seven who died after a quake hit the mountain.
HOME
You can use your voice to turn on the lights at home before you get there, or open your gate from your phone. ViewQwest is marketing such "smart home" systems and will help owners set them up when they buy a broadband plan.
BUSINESS
Expatriates sending their children to international schools in Singapore can expect to pay more than $500,000 in school fees over the course of the child's education from Primary 1 to pre-university. This makes fees here the priciest among five Asian destinations surveyed.
LIFE
At the 10th Epicurean Star Award ceremony on Wednesday night, Japanese restaurant Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands was named Best of the Best in the fine-dining category, while Nara Thai Cuisine topped the one for casual-dining restaurants. Lauded Best of the Best for restaurant chain categories was Eighteen Chefs, a halal-certified Western restaurant chain.
LIFE
Movie star Zhang Ziyi (photo) and The Voice Of China judge Wang Feng are reported to have married in Hong Kong in May. As Zhang has become pregnant unexpectedly, they plan to hold the wedding banquet after the baby's birth, said a report. Zhang, with a visible baby bump, has been sighted in Los Angeles, said NetEase.
