What's News: October 10 2015

TOP OF THE NEWS

Labour plan for hotel sector

The hotel sector is the first to get a dedicated five-year manpower blueprint.

The sectoral manpower plan, announced yesterday by Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, is part of the SkillsFuture initiative and lays out five initiatives to upgrade and retain workers in the industry.


TOP OF THE NEWS

'Invest in rail engineering'

Local operators SMRT and SBS Transit should raise the MRT's reliability level, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday. Mr Khaw also called for greater investment in engineering to improve rail reliability.


WORLD

Bank states stance on 1MDB

Malaysia's central bank said it had recommended to the public prosecutor to bring charges against 1MDB for inaccurate or incomplete disclosure of information in its US$1.83 billion (S$2.6 billion) investments abroad. But it noted it was up to the Attorney-General whether to charge 1MDB.


Men smoking in a Beijing shopping district. China currently accounts for a sixth of the annual global smoking death toll. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

WORLD

China's smoking death toll 'set to double by 2030'

One in three young men in China will be killed by tobacco unless a substantial proportion of them quit smoking, researchers said yesterday. A study found that, if current trends continue, the annual number of tobacco deaths in China will be two million by 2030, double the 2010 toll.


OPINION

UN success on poverty

The UN's anti-poverty drive had set 2015 as the target year to halve extreme poverty. The 2014/2015 Global Monitoring Report confirms that this goal was achieved ahead of time, in 2010. The most outstanding achievement was in East Asia, says Professor John Wong.


HOME

Changi's growth lauded

Changi has been named the sixth fastest-growing airport in the world, beating Asian rivals such as Hong Kong and Bangkok. OAG, the consultancy behind the ranking, said Changi is "in a good position to tap the growing demand for inter-regional travel".


HOME

Tougher green label criteria

The Singapore Environment Council is tightening the criteria for its green label for paper products by early next year. Applicants must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which is known to have more stringent standards.


BUSINESS

Asian markets, currencies up

Investors rushed back into equities, Asian emerging market currencies, and oil, after dovish minutes from the US Fed's latest meeting fuelled expectations that an interest rate hike this year is unlikely. The Straits Times Index rose to a mid-afternoon high of 3,010.95 for the first time since late August.


SPORT

Irish closer to Euro 2016 goal

Northern Ireland beat former European champions Greece 3-1 to secure their Euro 2016 ticket, their first Finals trip, while Republic of Ireland shocked world champions Germany 1-0 to guarantee a play-off spot. Portugal also locked down their place in France next June after edging out Denmark 1-0.


LIFE

Chat with the Merlion

At the inaugural Festival Of Tech, which runs from today till Oct 18, pedestrians in the city may communicate with inanimate objects such as fire hydrants and bus stops, as well as the Merlion statue at the Singapore River. The event aims to encourage creativity in the use of technology.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 10, 2015, with the headline What's News: October 10 2015. Subscribe