What's News: December 2, 2016

Pump jacks are seen at the Lukoil company owned Imilorskoye oil field outside the west Siberian city of Kogalym, Russia, on Jan 25, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

TOP OF THE NEWS

Stock markets up with oil deal

Oil prices rose more than 10 per cent to hit six-week highs while stock markets across the region soared yesterday, after Opec and Russia agreed to cut global crude oil production. Economists hope this may put a floor on oil prices, halting its drag on the Singapore economy, whose rig-building and oil and gas sectors were hit hard by the slump in oil prices over the past two years.

TOP OF THE NEWS

SMRT, two others charged

SMRT Trains, one of its directors and an engineer it sacked were charged yesterday over a track accident on March 22, which killed two workers. Investigations are still ongoing to determine if any other individuals should be held liable.

PHOTO: REUTERS

WORLD

Ringgit slide worries migrants

A sharp fall in the ringgit against the US dollar has migrant workers in Malaysia worried. The currency's 5.4 per cent slide against the greenback in the last one month is taking a toll on the economy, which is highly dependent on foreign labour. The ringgit has also lost ground to other currencies, slipping to an all-time low of 3.12 against the Singapore dollar.

WORLD

Trump's unexpected tweets

Mr Donald Trump's use of Twitter has left the US media scrambling to adjust to the President-elect's unconventional communications strategy. Since the Nov 8 election, Mr Trump has posted tweets at unexpected times and often on unexpected topics.

OPINION

Deng's cats and Trump

What would Deng Xiaoping have thought of US President-elect Donald Trump, asks Kevin Lu. The pragmatic man who said he didn't care if a cat was white or black so long as it catches mice, might find in Mr Trump someone China can do business with.

HOME

Tougher drink-driving laws?

Motorists who drink and drive could face stiffer penalties, as a review will be done on road traffic offences to clamp down on irresponsible road users. There have been 103 accidents related to drink driving so far this year.

HOME

Showcase of Myanmar history

A new exhibition on Myanmar's rich history was opened yesterday by the country's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Ms Suu Kyi- in town on a three-day visit that ends today - also met Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and called on Acting President J.Y. Pillay.

BUSINESS

First 2017 Savings Bond issue

Applications opened yesterday for the first issue of Singapore Savings Bonds for next year. Up to $2 billion of these bonds will be offered next year. The latest issue promises an average annual return of 2.18 per cent for those who hold the bonds for the full 10 years - the first time in the past few months such returns will exceed 2 per cent. C2

SPORT

Sex abuse: Chelsea face fine

In the wake of Britain's widening football sex abuse scandal, Chelsea face being penalised for breaching Football Association and Premier League guidelines. The Blues, who made a secret five-figure payout to a former player who had alleged abuse, could face a heavy fine for not notifying the FA and EPL.
Wah Kee's Mr Kevin Lau (right) joins hands with Mr Andrew Tan to open the eatery. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

LIFE

Prawn noodle stall expands

Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodle, which draws long lines at Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, will open a restaurant at Esplanade Mall tomorrow. The 60-seat eatery, set up at a cost of $600,000, will sell the same big prawn noodles from $6. At Pek Kio, prices start at $5.

Pop Aye, which follows an architect and his elephant in Thailand, will make its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. PHOTO: GIRAFFE PICTURESn

LIFE

Singaporean film to premiere at Sundance

Pop Aye, the debut feature from local film-maker Kirsten Tan, will premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival next year. It is the first time a Singaporean movie will compete at the largest indie film festival in the United States. Pop Aye follows a middle-aged architect and his elephant as they travel across Thailand in search of the farm they grew up on.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 02, 2016, with the headline What's News: December 2, 2016. Subscribe